Patent Application
20200023255
The present disclosure deals with table tennis tables.
Table tennis is a racket sport played on a table with a hard playing surface. A net divides two halves of the table and players standing on opposite ends of the table take turns hitting a ball back and forth over the net with a racket. A base is typically attached to the playing surface to keep the playing surface at a fixed height above the ground and to keep the playing surface from shifting during play.
Often, assembling a table tennis table can be a lengthy process, as the base must be securely attached to the playing surface. Additionally, although the table tennis table may take up a lot of space when not in use, it is often too time consuming to disassemble the table and then reassemble the table when it is needed. Some table tennis tables are foldable to reduce the storage space needed. Other table tennis tables are capable of being split into four sections allowing for easier display in stores or for easier transportation. However, for these tables the seams between adjacent quarter sections are present on the playing surface of the table and can cause bad bounces, decreasing the quality of game play.
Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.
Certain embodiments include a collapsible table tennis table that is capable of being arranged in a collapsed configuration for storage and an expanded configuration for game play. The table tennis table has a table top having a top surface and a bottom surface. The table top includes a first table section and a second table section separated by a seam and typically connected by one or more hinges. The second table section is foldable with respect to the first table section about the one or more hinges. In use, a vertical table tennis net extends substantially perpendicularly from the top surface of the table top and across the width of the table top.
The table tennis table includes a base assembly that has a plurality of legs. The legs are adjustably spaced so that the base assembly has an adjustable length and an adjustable width. Each leg includes a telescoping pole that extends between a table pad and a floor pad. Struts extend from each leg along the length and the width of the base assembly to each adjacent leg.
The base assembly is configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration in which the base assembly has a greater length and width than in the collapsed configuration. The telescoping poles allow the length of the legs to change to accommodate the change between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration. Each of the legs has a longer length in the collapsed configuration and adjusts to a shorter length in the expanded configuration.
For game play, the table top is supported by the plurality of legs of the base assembly with the base assembly in the expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the base assembly includes a total of six legs. Two of the legs support an outer end of the first table section and two more legs support an outer end of the second table section. The middle two legs support the table top along the seam and contact both the first table section and the second table section.
Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
The present disclosure pertains generally to the field of table tennis tables and more particularly to a collapsible table tennis table. In certain embodiments, the table tennis table includes a table top and a base assembly which are separable from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the table top is formed from at two sections. In a collapsed configuration, the two sections are folded with respect to each other and the base assembly is collapsed. In an expanded configuration, the two sections are adjacent each other and lie in the same plane and the base assembly is expanded.
The base assembly is formed from two or more legs. Each leg includes a telescoping pole positioned between a table pad and a floor pad. Each of the legs is connected to an adjacent leg using at least one strut that extends from the table pad of a first leg to a floor pad of an adjacent leg. In some embodiments, each leg is connected to each adjacent leg using two struts. The second strut extends from the floor pad of the first leg to the table pad of the second leg. The first strut and the second strut form a pair of struts connected at a pivot point where the first strut and second strut cross so that the two struts are arranged between the adjacent legs to form a deformable X-shape.
The base assembly includes a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the struts connecting the legs of the base assembly are arranged to be substantially vertical so that the struts are close to parallel to the legs. In this position, each leg is positioned close to the attached adjacent legs and in some instances may be touching an adjacent leg or legs. To expand the base assembly into the expanded configuration, the legs are moved away from each other. As the distance between the legs increases, the struts pivot with respect to the legs, moving from being substantially parallel to the legs to being at an oblique angle with to respect to the legs.
Additionally, as the legs of the base assembly are spread farther apart, the telescoping pole allows the height of the legs to change to accommodate the changing distance between each adjacent leg. The height of each leg is reduced as the distance between legs is increased, while the height of each leg is increased as the base assembly is collapsed.
With the base assembly in the expanded configuration, the table top is placed on top of base assembly. Each leg of the base assembly provides support to the table top so that the table top is kept level and forms a surface on which to play table tennis.
Table tennis net 25 may extend between a pair of posts and is held in tension. The posts may be clamped to opposing sides of table top 30 across the width or may be attached to table top 30 using any other suitable method such as fasteners or adhesive. Table tennis net 25 extends vertically from table top 30 so that table tennis net 25 is substantially perpendicular with respect to table top 30.
A perspective view of table top 30 is shown in
Table top 30 is formed from a first table section 38 and a second table section 42. First table section 38 is separable with respect to second table section 42 about a seam 44. In some embodiments, seam 44 may be a joint that separates first table section 38 and second table section 42. In some embodiments, the inner edges of table sections 38, 42 do not touch each other. In other embodiments, seam 44 may be a portion where first table section 38 and second table 42 are abutting. Typically, table tennis net 25 is positioned above seam 44 so that a table tennis ball hit on the playing surface fainted by table top 30 does not land on seam 44 during play.
In certain embodiments, one or more hinges 46 connect the first table section 38 and the second table section 42 at the seam 44. As shown in
In the embodiment shown, the seam 44 is positioned about halfway along the length of table top 30 so that first table section 38 and second table section 42 are approximately the same size. In other examples, table top 30 may include no seam 44 so that the table top is not foldable and is merely removable from base assembly 50.
In some embodiments, table top 30 follows the rules of the International Federation of Table Tennis. The top surface 32 of table top 30 is rectangular and is 274 cm (9 ft.) in length and 152.5 cm (5 ft.) in width. Table top 30 is supported so that top surface 32 is 76 cm (2.5 ft.) above the floor. Top surface 32 is a uniform, dark color with a matte finish. A white line extends along each side along the length of top surface 32 and a white end line extends along each side along the width of top surface 32. Table sections 38, 42 are of equal size and separated by a vertical net running along the width of table top 30. Table top 30 is formed from any is material that yields a uniform bounce of 23 cm (8¼ in.) from any standard table tennis ball that is dropped from a height of 30 cm (12 in.).
Each leg 52 is connected to an adjacent leg 52 by at least one strut 65 that is angled between the legs 52. In some embodiments, strut 65 is angled approximately 45 degrees with respect to leg 52 in the expanded configuration. A first strut 65 extends from the table pad 70 of a first leg 52 to the floor pad 71 of the adjacent leg 52, for instance with one end of first strut 65 pivotally attached to the table pad 70 of a first leg and a second end of the first strut pivotally attached to the floor pad 71 of a second leg. A second strut 65 may extend from the floor pad 71 of the first leg 52 to the table pad 70 of the adjacent leg 52 so that the two struts 65 form a deformable X-shape between the adjacent legs 52. In some embodiments, fewer struts 65 may be used so that some of or all of the legs 52 are only connected to an adjacent leg 52 by one strut 65.
When base assembly 50 is not used to support table top 30, base assembly 50 may be arranged in a collapsed position as shown in
An embodiment of a leg 52 of base assembly 50 is illustrated in
The table pad 70 is positioned at an upper end of telescoping pole 54 and may include a table support surface 86. Table support surface may include a non-slip material on the outer surface of table pad 70. Table support surface 86 is arranged to contact table top 30 when table top 30 is supported by base assembly 50. When table top 30 is positioned on base assembly 50, the bottom surface 34 of table top 30 rests on table support surface 86 and table support surface 86 prevents table top 30 from sliding with respect to leg 52.
A floor pad 71 is positioned at the opposite end of telescoping pole 54 from the table pad 70. The floor pad 71 is arranged to contact a support surface such as the ground or a floor when base assembly 50 is in use. The outer surface of the floor pad 71 may include a floor contact surface 88 that is made from a non-slip material. Floor contact surface 88 is in contact with the ground or support surface and assists to provide stability to base assembly 50 by preventing leg 52 from slipping on the ground when the table tennis table 20 is in use.
Body portion 76 defines a pole end cavity 78 that is sized to allow an end of telescoping pole 54 of leg 52 to fit within pole end cavity 78. Pole end cavity 78 is dimensioned to fittingly receive an end of pole 54 of leg 52 and connect pole 54 to table pad 70. Pole 54 may be snugly held within pole end cavity 78 using a friction fit or may be kept within pole end cavity 78 using any other suitable attachment method such as a fastener or adhesive.
Body portion 76 also includes vertical and lateral flanges 80 that extend outward relative to pole end cavity 78. Each flange 80 defines a horizontal strut attachment opening 81 for to receiving an attachment mechanism such as a screw or a bolt that may serve as an axle. The attachment mechanism received in strut attachment opening 81 may be used to rotatably attach a strut 65 to table pad 70 so that strut attachment opening 81 defines a pivot axis about which strut 65 is able to pivot with respect to leg 52. Although each flange may include a strut attachment opening 81 for attaching a strut 65, it is not required that each strut attachment opening 81 is used when table pad 70 is included in base assembly 50. In some embodiments, table pad 70 may attach to only two struts 65 or only three struts 65. In the embodiment shown, there are four flanges 80 each spaced at 90 degrees from an adjacent flange 80; however in other embodiments there may be more or fewer flanges 80 as desired. Floor pad 71 has a corresponding structure to the structure of table pad 70 described above.
Various views of an embodiment of the assembled table tennis table 20 are shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
Apron 90 may be attached to table tennis table 20 using any suitable method of attachment. As an example, apron 90 may be attached to table tennis table 20 using screws, grommets, or snap features. Other options such as hook and loop fasteners like Velcro® may also be used. In some embodiments, apron 90 is attached to table top 30, for example, on a side edge of table top 30 or on the bottom surface 34 of table top 30. In some embodiments, apron 90 is attached to base assembly 50, such as to table pad 70.
In some embodiments, apron 90 is easily changeable so one apron 90 can be swapped for an apron 90 having a different color or design. Apron 90 may be made from a variety of fabric options. For example, apron 90 can be made from vinyl, nylon, cotton, spandex, lycra, or any other suitable material. Apron 90 may also include graphics or text such as team logos, advertising, or any other desired visual indicia.
Typically, when table tennis table 20 is not in use, it may be stored in the collapsed lo configuration. In the collapsed configuration, table top 30 is folded in half as shown in
When table tennis table 20 is desired to be used, table tennis table 20 is converted from the collapsed configuration into the expanded configuration. To convert table tennis table 20 to the expanded configuration, the legs 52 of base assembly 50 are pulled away from each other. In the collapsed configuration as illustrated in
As shown in
To accommodate the changing vertical height span of strut 65, the male portion 56 of telescoping pole 54 telescopes within the female portion 58 of telescoping pole 54 to decrease the length of leg 52 when legs 52 are pulled away from each other into the expanded configuration. Likewise, as base assembly 50 is changed from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, male portion 56 of telescoping pole 54 extends from female portion 58 of telescoping pole 54 to increase the length of leg 52.
The expansion of base assembly 50 is limited by the minimum length of legs 52 as expansion of base assembly 50 may continue until the length of legs 52 may no longer decrease. The minimum length of legs 52, and thus the table height, is determined by the movement of male portion 56 of telescoping pole 54 within female portion 58. Once the lower end of male portion 56 reaches the lower end of female portion 58, it will rest against floor pad 71 or the lower end of female portion 58, so that male portion 56 may not slide any further within female portion 58. Once male portion 56 can no longer slide within female portion 58, a minimum height is reached. In this configuration, the weight from table top 30 may be carried solely by male portion 56. If female portion 58 has an open lower end, none of the weight of table top 30 is supported by female portion 58.
Once base assembly is arranged in the expanded configuration, table top 30 is unfolded so that first table section 38 and second table section 42 lie within the same plane. Table top 30 is then placed on top of base assembly 50 so that the bottom surface 34 of table top 30 contacts table pads 70 of the legs 52 of base assembly 50. The table pads 70 of base assembly 50 provide support points for table top 30. A table tennis net 25 may be attached or mounted to table top 30 and table tennis table 20 may be used for table tennis games or practice.
Table tennis table 20 is collapsible into a collapsed state for storage or transport by reversing the process described above. The table top 30 is removed from the top of base assembly 50. Table top 30 may then be folded in half by folding or separating first table section 38 with respect to second table section 42 at the seam 44. Base assembly 50 is then moved from the expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration by moving the legs 52 closer to each other and causing struts 65 to pivot into an orientation in which the struts are substantially parallel to legs 52.
A collapsible table tennis table kit 100 is illustrated in
Kit 100 also includes a base assembly 50, such as base assembly 50 shown in
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected.
