The present invention relates to a floating amphibious table. More particularly, the present invention relates to a floating amphibious game table having removable legs that are adapted to be received by resilient tabs on the table when the legs are not required for use. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a floating amphibious game table having upper openings for receiving beverages and substantially superposed lower openings for receiving the legs.
Floating tables have been proposed for use in swimming pools, lakes, beaches, and the like, for recreational purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,877 to Lundstrom describes a floating table that may be used as either a ping pong table or a pool table in a swimming pool. U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,588 to MacLeod describes a floating sunshade assembly that has recesses for holding beverage containers and the like. However, such tables would not be suitable for use on land. Such tables would have to be placed directly on the ground, and thus, discourages its use on land. Thus, a need exists for a floating game table that may be used both in a water environment, and is easily adapted for use as a game table on land.
A floating amphibious game table is provided that may be used on both land and water. The game table has a base member that has an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of upper openings in the upper surface of the base member are adapted to receive beverage containers. A plurality of lower openings in the lower surface of the base member are adapted to receive a plurality of legs. The base member may be either solid or hollow, but is preferably hollow. The game table floats to allow for use on water. The game table receives a plurality of legs to allow for use on land.
In another preferred embodiment, a floating amphibious game table is provided that has a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has an inner portion and an outer portion, with the inner portion being higher than the outer portion. A plurality of protrusions extend downwardly from the lower surface of the base member and have a plurality of lower openings therein. A plurality of upper openings in the outer portion of the upper surface of the base member are adapted to receive beverage containers. A continuous groove in the upper surface separates the inner portion from the outer portion. A plurality of resilient tabs are connected to the lower surface. A plurality of legs are adapted to be received by the lower openings and are adapted to be received by the resilient tabs when not received by the lower openings.
Other advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings that form a part of the original disclosure:
A floating amphibious game table 11 is provided that may be used on both land and water, as shown in
The base member 21, as shown in
A plurality of upper openings 23 in the upper surface 31 of the base member 21 are adapted to receive beverage containers, as shown in
A plurality of lower openings 42 are located in the lower surface 41 of the base member 21, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5–7. A plurality of lower protrusions 43 extend downwardly from the lower surface 41 of the base member 21. Preferably, each lower opening 42 is located in a lower protrusion 43, as shown in
A plurality of legs 51 are adapted to be received by the plurality of lower openings 42, as shown in
The legs 51 may alternatively be secured to the game table 11 by any suitable means, including by means of a snap fit, pressure fit, or use of fasteners, e.g., “Velcro”. For example, a plurality of resilient tabs 45 may be provided to secure the legs on the lower surface 41 of the table when not being received by the lower openings 42. Each leg has a pair of resilient tabs 45 for securing the leg, as shown in
A plurality of recesses 49 extend upwardly from the lower surface 41 of the base member 21, as shown in
Preferably, the base member 21, the plurality of protrusions 43, and the plurality of resilient tabs 45 are unitarily formed, such as by rotational molding. Preferably, the base member 21 is made of a non-cellular material, such as, but not limited to, fiberglass and plastic.
The game table 11 is amphibious so that it may be used on both land and water. The game table of the present invention is hereinafter described as having four legs 51, four lower openings 42, four lower protrusions 43 and four pairs of resilient tabs 45, although the present invention is not so narrowly limited and any number of these features is possible.
The four legs 51 are adapted to be received by the four pairs of resilient tabs 45, as shown in
When the game table 11 is desired to be used on land, the four legs are removed from resilient tabs 45. Pulling the legs 51 away from the resilient tabs 45 causes the resilient tabs to bend outwardly, thereby allowing the legs to be removed. Each leg 51 is then inserted in a lower opening 42 in a lower protrusion 43 as shown in
The inner portion 35 of the upper surface 31 provides a playing surface for the game table. The inner portion may receive a board for a board game or be used as surface for playing cards. The continuous groove 25 may be used to receive game pieces for the board game, or to receive cards for card games. Upper openings 23 in the upper surface 23 may receive beverage containers being used by players.
The ease of moving the legs 51 between the configuration where they are secured by the resilient tabs (
While advantageous embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional No. 60/451,242, filed Mar. 4, 2003.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20040173123 A1 | Sep 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60451242 | Mar 2003 | US |