OUTDOOR ADJUSTABLE TABLECLOTH

Abstract

An adjustable windproof table cover solves the problem of wind or air moving a table covering or cloth while placed on a table top. By using this product, no other physical matter such as weights, straps or clamps shall be needed to restrain the table covering or cloth from movement by wind or air. An adjustable rope or cord can be cinched or gathered to tighten the placement upon the table top.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tablecloth cover that can be secured to a table, and specifically to a tablecloth cover adapted for outdoor use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a problem in the art to provide a tablecloth or table cover for outdoor use, which can be easily secured to a table such as a picnic table. It is a further problem in the art to provide a tablecloth or table cover that is removable after being secured to a table such that the tablecloth can be reused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the device according to the present invention provides an adjustable tablecloth or table cover that is removable after being secured to a table such that the tablecloth can be reused.

The device of the present invention provides an adjustable windproof table cover which solves the problem of wind or air moving a table covering or cloth while placed on a table top. By using this product, no other physical matter such as weights, straps or clamps shall be needed to restrain the table covering or cloth from movement by wind or air. An adjustable rope or cord can be cinched or gathered to tighten the placement upon the table top.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a tablecloth according to the present invention secured to a picnic table.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the tablecloth of FIG. 1, showing a cord, a pair of grommets, and a securing device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the connection of the cord, the tablecloth, the grommets, and the securing device of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a tablecloth or table cover 100 which is secured to the legs of a picnic table 200. The picnic table legs are not individually numbered. The tablecloth or table cover 100 is an adjustable windproof table covering or cloth adapted to be used on a dining table, folding table, or picnic table top. This enables securing the table covering or table cloth 100 from being moved by the force of wind or air.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the tablecloth or table cover 100 of FIG. 1, showing a cord 50, a plurality of grommets 12, and a securing device 40. The table cover 100 includes a body 10 which is cloth or plastic, or can be any other material suitable for use as a table covering. The table cover 100 also includes a plurality of grommets 12 disposed in the body 10, such that each grommet bounds an opening allowing passage through the body 10.

The body 10 preferably has four sides to provide a flap or overhang for the cording or rope 12 to be placed through around the seam on the inside of the cover body 10. The cording or rope 12 being that of a piece of fabric cord or rope which is placed along the inside edge on all flaps or overhangs on the body 10. A stop member, which is preferably a plastic slide cord lock 14, is provided to hold the cord in place. The lock 12 or cord 12 is inserted through the whole of the cord lock 14 and allows the cord to be cinches or gathered to secure the cover body 10 around the table top. The body 10 can be supplied in units having various sizes or measures, e.g. in size or length of inches, feet, and yards and this can range depending on the table top size or length. The choice of materials is meant as exemplary, and not as a limitation. Other suitable materials may be used in the present invention.

The grommets 12 are arranged in pairs. There are four such pairs of grommets 12, each of the pairs of grommets being disposed at a corner portion of the body 10. A cord 50 is associated with each of the pairs of grommets 12. In use, one cord 50 is extended around one table leg, such that a secured end is disposed at a first one of the grommets 12 in the grommet pair, and a free end of the cord 50 is passed through a second one of the grommets 12 in the grommet pair. As seen in FIG. 2, there is a stop member 30 stopping further entry of the cord 50 through the first one of the grommets, and a securing device 40 stopping removal of the cord 50 through the second one of the grommets, such that pulling the cord 50 through the securing device 40 results in tightening of the cord 50 and the tablecloth body 10 about the adjacent one of the table legs. The stop member 30 can be a knot, or can be a solid body attached to the cord such as a piece of metal, wood, or plastic. The stop member 30 serves to prevent the cord 50 from being pulled through the grommet 12 when the cord 50 is being tightened about a table leg.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the connection of the cord 50, the tablecloth body 10, one of the grommets 12, the stop member 30, and the securing device 40. As seen in FIG. 3, the stop member 30 is larger than the opening in the first grommet 12, and the securing device 40 is larger than the opening in the second grommet 12. This schematically shows the arrangements, and omits the table leg. It is clear from FIG. 1 that the cord 50 must pass around the table leg, such that the table leg is bounded on one side by the cord 50 and on the other side by the body 10 of the table cover 100. The cord 50 is an adjustable rope or cord which can be cinched or gathered to tighten the placement upon the table top.

The securing device 40 can be any type of securing member for holding the cord 50 in place, including spring-loaded members, resiliently deformable members rubber or plastic that are biased to grip the cord 50, or mechanically-operable devices such as clamps, or a member such as a piece of wood with an opening or slot therein, that frictionally holds the cord 50 in place. These, and all other variations which would be understood by any one having skill in the fastener arts, are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

Similarly, the stop member 30 can be a knot in the cord or rope 50, or can be a separate member such as plastic, metal, or wood secured to one end of the cord 50. These, and all other variations which would be understood by any one having skill in the fastener arts, are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

This device 100 is intended to hold a table covering or cloth onto a table, such that it is windproof. The device 100 is a table covering body that is integrated with an adjustable cord or rope 50. The device 100 provides an easy way to hold down a table covering or cloth from the force of wind or air.

The present invention solves the problem of wind or air moving a table covering or cloth while placed on a table top. By using this product, no other physical matter such as weights, straps or clamps shall be needed to restrain the table covering or cloth from Movement by wind or air. The adjustable rope or cord can be cinched or gathered to tighten the placement upon the table top.

The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways by a any one having skill in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. An adjustable, windproof table cover in combination with an outdoor table having a tabletop with four corners and four edges, said outdoor table having four table legs respectively disposed adjacent each of said four corners, and in which said table cover can be secured to said tabletop by being secured at said four corners of said outdoor table, said table cover comprising: a table cover body adapted to completely cover said tabletop of said outdoor table, said table cover body having a central region corresponding to said tabletop of said outdoor table and an outer region adapted to drape downward from said edges of said tabletop; said central region having eight openings therethrough, wherein said eight openings are disposed in pairs at spaced locations in said outer region of said table cover body; and wherein during use each of said pairs of openings is disposed near a respective one of said four corners of said outdoor table; and wherein each respective one of said pairs of openingsa plurality of grommets in said table cover body, each of the grommets being disposed to surround and reinforce a respective one of said eight openings disposed in said table cover body;four cords, each of said cords being disposed at a respective one of said pairs of openings; each of said cords having one free end; a respective one of said cords passing through both of a first one of a respective one said pairs of openings and a second one of said respective one of said pairs of openings;each of said cords respectively having a first end and a second end, and each of said cords including a respective stop member disposed at said first end to prevent withdrawal of said cord through said first opening, and each of said cords including a respective manually releasable securing member for releasably securing said second end of said against withdrawal through said second opening; and each one of said at least four cords having a middle portion adapted to be disposed below one of said four corners of said tabletop when said table cover body is disposed on top of said tabletop;each of said respective pairs of openings being spaced apart a predetermined distance;each of said pairs of openings having an unsecured position and a secured position; in said secured position said pair of grommets is closely arranged so that said respective one of said cords can be pulled through and secured against withdrawal;when each of said pairs of openings is in said secured position, respective portions of said table cover body are gathered therebetween, such that said table cover body is securely attached to said tabletop;whereby in use said table cover body is placed atop said outdoor table such that each respective one of said pairs of openings is adjacent a respective one of said four corners, a free end of each respective one of said cords is drawn through said respective second opening whereupon said securing member of each respective said cord is applied to secure said free end of said respective cord against withdrawal from said second opening; and said cord is pulled taut against said tabletop so as to secure said tablecover to said tabletop.

14. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing member is resiliently deformable.

15. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing member is a fastener.

16. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing member includes a spring bias.

17. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing member has a diameter larger than said second one of said pair of openings.

18. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stop member is formed by a knot in said cord.

19. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stop member is an article secured to said first end of said cord, and said article has a diameter larger than said first one of said pair of openings.

20. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said table cover body is composed of cloth material.

21. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said table cover body is composed of plastic material.

22. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are 10 pairs of openings, for securement to a table having six legs.

23. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said grommets are composed of metal.

24. An adjustable, windproof table cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said grommets are composed of plastic.