Patent Application
20120279429
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to tables or platforms and, more specifically, to a table supported by a pole or other rigid structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Umbrellas and tents are often used for outdoor gatherings and for providing shade at the beach. Generally, such umbrellas and canopies include poles and rigid frame structures that extend vertically. At outdoor gatherings it is desirable to have a table surface in the shade of the umbrella or canopy for holding refreshments, food, keys, clothing and other personal items. It is desirable that the table be easy to operate, easy to transport, durable, and storable is small spaces such as a car trunk or bag. Prior art tables are generally large, heavy, and awkward for carrying to and from an outdoor location. Such tables are often expensive and cannot be easily stored in small spaces or vehicles.
A need exists for a portable table that provides ease of operation and assembly, durability, inexpensive manufacture, storability and easy transportation. In some embodiments, the present foldable table provides many of these desired characteristics.
A preferred embodiment involves a foldable table including a first table portion and a second table portion. The second table portion is rotatably coupled to the first table portion. The foldable table also includes a joint between the first table portion and the second table portion and the first and second table portions are rotatable about the joint. The table includes a first recess adjacent the joint and configured to receive a pole. The first table portion is rotatable with respect to the second table portion so that the table can be folded by rotating the first table portion toward the second table portion.
In some embodiments the foldable table includes a support member configured to engage the first recess and frictionally engage a pole. Preferably, the support member is configured to engage the first and second table portions such that the support member inhibits relative rotational movement between the first and second table portions.
Preferably, the first recess is located between the first table portion and the second table portion, the first recess extending through a portion of the joint. In some embodiments, the first table portion and second table portion are coupled together by a flexible material.
A preferred embodiment of a foldable table includes a first table portion having a first surface that is generally planar and a second table portion having a second surface that is generally planar. The second table portion is rotatably coupled to the first table portion. The table includes a recess configured to receive a pole or rigid structure. Preferably, the first and second table portions have a first position in which the first surface and the second surface face in substantially the same direction. Preferably, the first and second table portions have a second position achieved by rotating at least one of the first and second table portions so that the first surface and the second surface face in opposite directions.
In some embodiments, the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel and face each other when the first and second table portions are in the second position. Preferably the first surface and the second surface are rotatably coupled by a flexible material.
In some embodiments, the recess extends perpendicular to the first and second surfaces when the first and second table portions are in the first position. In some embodiments, the first table portion and the second table portion are unitary or integral.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present foldable table are described herein with reference to drawings of preferred embodiments, which are provided for the purpose of illustration and not for limitation. The drawings contain eleven (11) figures.
The foldable table embodiments disclosed herein are well-suited for being supported by a pole such as the pole of a beach umbrella. However, the foldable table embodiments can be supported by any type of pole or similar rigid structure, and may find utility in a variety of other applications. The foldable tables are often described herein using relative terms, such as top, bottom, above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left and right. These terms are used for convenience and usually in the context of the specific figure(s) being described, unless otherwise noted or apparent from the context.
Preferably, the table 10 has a width W in the range between five inches and thirty inches. It is more preferable that the table have a width W of between ten and twenty inches. The foldable table 10 can be folded so that the overall width is reduced by several inches, and preferably reduced by half. By folding the table 10 and reducing the overall size, the table 10 is more easily transported and capable of being stored in smaller areas.
The foldable table 10 also includes a recess or opening 30. Preferably, the recess 30 is sized and shaped to receive a pole. In the preferred embodiment, the recess 30 is cylindrical, having a diameter and configured to receive a cylindrical pole. However, in some embodiments the recess 30 can be rectangular or can have other sizes or shapes. As illustrated, the recess 30 is defined by a first recess flange 34 and a second recess flange 36. Preferably, the first recess flange 34 is supported by the first table portion 14 and the second recess flange 36 is supported by the second table portion 16. In the unfolded positioning, the first recess flange 34 and the second recess flange 36 cooperate to define the recess 30.
The first recess 30 is located between the first and second table portions 14 and 16. Preferably, the first recess 30 also extends through the axis of the joint 20. In other preferred embodiments, the first recess 30 is located away from the joint 20 and on one of the first and second table portions. The first recess 30 can also be positioned at or near one of the ends of the joint 20 or proximate the edge of the table 10.
In one preferred embodiment, the table 10 also includes a second recess 32 that is at least partially cylindrical and is smaller than that of the first recess 30. The second recess 32 is preferably adjacent the first recess 30 and is also defined by the first recess flange 34 and the second recess flange 36. Preferably, the second recess 32 is sized and shaped to receive poles having smaller diameters than those received by the first recess 30. Thus, the different sized recesses 30 and 32 allow the table 10 to be securely supported by poles of various sizes. In other preferred embodiments, the second recess 32 is positioned away from the first recess 30 at a location on the joint 20 or is disposed on one of the table portions. The table 10 can also include more than two recesses each having a different size in order to receive poles of various sizes.
The first and second table portions 14 and 16 preferably include storage features such as receptacles 40 that are round and configured to hold beverages or similarly shaped items. The table portions 14 and 16 also include rectangular receptacles 42. In the illustrated arrangement, the table portions 14 and 16 are symmetrical and the overall shape of table 10 is substantially rectangular. However, in other embodiments the overall shape of the table is circular, or alternatively the table can have an asymmetric shape. Similarly, the joint 20 extends along the center of the table 10, but in other embodiments the joint can be located off-center and the table portions can be asymmetrical. In other embodiments, the table includes more than two table portions that are rotatably coupled and foldable.
As illustrated, the first table portion 14 and second table portion 16 each have an outer flange 44 extending along portions of the outer edge of each table portion. The outer flange 44 can improve the aesthetic of the table 10 and can also make it easier to fold and carry the table 10. Preferably, the outer flanges 44 of the table portions 14 and 16 include contact portions 45 arranged to contact each other when the table 10 is in the unfolded position. As illustrated, the flange contact portions 45 are adjacent the ends of the joint 20. The contact portions 45 can be protrusions or other features extending from the flanges 44. Preferably, the contact portions 45 are arranged to contact one another and inhibit rotation of the table portions 14 and 16 substantially beyond the illustrated unfolded position. In other preferred embodiments, the entire flange portions between the table portions 14 and 16 can be arranged as contact portions that contact each other to prevent rotation beyond the unfolded position.
The round receptacles 40 preferably include cut-out portions 48 that allow water or other liquid to flow out of the round receptacles 40. Preferably, the table portions 14 and 16 comprise a durable and rigid plastic or polymer material that is lightweight, making the table 10 lightweight for easy transporting but also durable and easy to maintain. The foldable table 10 and the table portions 14 and 16 are preferably manufactured in a molding process or extrusion process. In a preferred embodiment, the table 10 is molded as a single piece of plastic material.
As illustrated in
Preferably, the table portions 14 and 16 are coupled by a thin piece of material 21 at the joint 20. The piece of material 21 is flexible and resilient so that there can be repeated relative rotation and folding of the table portions 14 and 16. Preferably, the piece of material 21 extends from the first top surface 26 to the second top surface 28 and couples the first top surface 26 to the second top surface 28. In some embodiments, the material is a plastic or polymer material with elastic characteristics.
In other preferred embodiments, the joint 20 includes a pin, hook, swivel, barrel hinge, pivot hinge, concealed hinge, or any other type of hinge. Any type of hinge or pivot mechanism capable of rotatably coupling the two table portions 14 and 16 can be used at the joint 20 to couple the table portions. The first table portion 14 and the second table portion 16 can also be removably coupled using a disconnecting hinge.
Preferably, when the foldable table 10 is in the folded arrangement, the first top surface 26 contacts the second top surface 28 and the table 10 is reduced in overall size compared to the unfolded arrangement. It is also preferred that the outer flange 44 and receptacles 40 and 42 are relatively shallow so that the overall thickness of the folded table 10 is minimized. With a minimal folded thickness, the table 10 is easier to transport and is also lighter as it requires less material. Folding the table 10 can significantly reduce the overall width of the table 10 and make it easier for a person to transport or store.
Different sized support members can be used with the table, depending on the size of the pole. In other preferred embodiments, the support member is smaller and shaped to be coupled to the table 10 at the second recess 32. A smaller inner portion of the support member enters the second recess 32 and a smaller version of the outer portion 54 engages the first recess flange 34 and the second recess flange 36 so that the smaller support member inhibits rotation of the table portions 14 and 16 about the joint 20. In other embodiments, larger or smaller support members can support the table 10, depending on the size of the recesses of the table and the size of the pole.
Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In particular, while the present chair adjustment mechanism has been described in the context of particularly preferred embodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that certain advantages, features and aspects of the adjustment mechanism may be realized in a variety of other applications, many of which have been noted above. Additionally, it is contemplated that various aspects and features of the invention described can be practiced separately, combined together, or substituted for one another, and that a variety of combination and subcombinations of the features and aspects can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims.
