ROTATING, ADJUSTABLE ART TABLE AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

An art table with a base preferably including casters or wheels to allow for the entire table to be moved easily. Adjustable anchors with feet for securing the table base to the floor and to ensure the table is level are inserted through the base. Structural A-frames acting as side supports hold up a turntable which is connected to a motor, allowing the turntable to be rotated mechanically through the spinning power of the motor. The turntable is also able to be tilted to an angle relative to the base via a hydraulic arm and connector. Four crossbar arms are connected to the top of the turntable. Each crossbar arm includes a track which can receive a bracket element which can be used to secure a working surface to the crossbar arms. The crossbar arms are connected to the turntable via mounting holes passing through the crossbar arms.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an art table and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a rotating art table for creating artwork on a canvas spun by the rotating art table.

2. Description of the Related Art

Art is as old as human civilization, and is one of the most common activities for creative release performed by humans today. Painting on surfaces, such as a canvas or other surface, is one of the most common forms of art expression. Tools used to manipulate the canvas during the production of art are well known, and the spinning of a canvas while adding paint to it has been achieved at some smaller scales. However, what is needed is a tool for allowing custom art via manipulation of the canvas during use, while allowing for large canvases to be used in conjunction with the tool.

Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for a rotating, adjustable art table with the advantages and features of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides an art table with a base preferably including casters or wheels to allow for the entire table to be moved easily. Due to its large size, this makes it much easier to relocate the table as desired.

Adjustable anchors with feet for securing the table base to the floor and to ensure the table is level are inserted through the base. These anchors could have an end formed into a handle such that the user can rotate the anchor handle one direction to raise the anchor, and the other direction to lower the anchor, driving the foot into the ground and raising the table.

Structural A-frames acting as side supports hold up a turntable which is connected to a motor, allowing the turntable to be rotated mechanically through the spinning power of the motor. The turntable is also connected to a hydraulic connector which connects to a hydraulic arm and then terminates at a pivot joint. This combination of elements allows the turntable to be tilted to an angle relative to the base.

Four crossbar arms are connected to the top of the turntable. Each crossbar arm includes a track which can receive a bracket element which can be used to secure a canvas to the crossbar arms. The crossbar arms are connected to the turntable via mounting holes passing through the crossbar arms.

The motor causes the turntable to spin at a rate chosen by user. The user can tilt the table via the hydraulic arm such that it is at an angle between horizontal and vertical. The user can use paint or other materials to apply to the canvas as it spins, thereby creating unique artwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in a first, horizontal orientation.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in a second, tilted orientation.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in conjunction with a canvas stored on the embodiment thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the embodiment and orientation of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the embodiment and orientation of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment and orientation of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view taken about the circle of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of a crossbar element interfacing with a bracket element of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view thereof shown installed and joined.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Adjustable, Rotating Art Table System 2

As shown in the figures, the present invention is an adjustable, rotating art table system 2 which has a base 4 which is preferably set upon wheels or casters 6, though the table system 2 could operate without. Side structural frames 28 hold up a turntable 26 above the base 4, and crossbar arms 12 are connected to the top of the turntable 26 via mounting holes 32 passing through the crossbar arms 12. The turntable can be spun about a central axis, thereby spinning the crossbar arms with it.

The embodiment shown in the figures, including FIGS. 1-2, shows wheels or casters 6 located beneath the base to allow the entire table system 2 to be moved around as desired. The wheels 6 could have locks to optionally restrict movement of the table system 2 as desired.

These figures also show adjustable anchors 8 with feet 10 which are used to stabilize the table system 2 and further can be used to prevent the system from being moved. These anchors 8 may have offset handle portions as shown or may be automated with electrical or hydraulic power.

Each crossbar arm 12 contains a rail 16 which allows for the connection of brackets 14. These brackets can be adjusted along the length of the crossbar via a bolt 36 and a lower receiver 34 as shown in more detail in FIG. 8. A working surface 30, such as a canvas as shown in FIG. 3, can be secured between the brackets 14, allowing the canvas to be worked on within the table system 2. The canvas could be replaced with a piece of wood, a piece of stone, or any other item with a surface which can be painted or otherwise have art applied onto it.

The turntable 26 is also connected to a hydraulic connector 22 which allows the turntable to be tilted at an angle from the original, horizontal orientation shown in FIG. 1 to an angle between zero degrees and ninety degrees such as shown in FIG. 2. The hydraulic connector 22 is connected to a pivot joint 18 via a hydraulic arm 20. The pivot joint 18 is affixed to the base 4, and when the hydraulic arm 20 extends, it pushes the hydraulic connector 22 up and away, thereby tilting the turntable.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show how the turntable 26 and crossbars 12 can tilt upwards when the hydraulic arm 20 is activated.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view from FIG. 6 showing the securing holes within the rail 16 of the crossbar arms 12 which allow the crossbar arms to be secured and affixed to the turntable 26.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show how an adjustable bracket 14 could be secured to the rail 16 of the crossbar arm 12 using a bolt 36 and a lower receiver 34 which allows the bracket 14 to be secured in place against the crossbar arm 12, and when the bolt 36 is loosened, the bracket 14 can be slid along the rail 16 to accommodate canvases of different sizes. Other suitable connection types could be used instead.

The table system 2 is designed to spin about the central axis of the turntable. The central axis is an axis perpendicular to a center point on the top face of the turntable. An embodiment of the system could be manually spun or turned, but a preferred embodiment as shown is powered by a motor 24, such as an electric motor which provides rotational power to the turntable. Once spinning, the canvas 30 secured to the crossbar arms 12 can be worked by applying paint or other substances to the surface of the canvas as it spins.

The table can be designed of any size and can accommodate any canvas size depending on the specification of the final table system.

The turntable 26 can be both spun via the motor 24 and tilted at an angle via the hydraulic arm 20 and associated pivot joint 18 and hydraulic connector 22 at the same time to allow for spinning the turntable to apply art at any desired angle.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.

Claims

1. An art table system comprising: a base comprising a top face and a bottom face;a turntable configured to be rotated about a central axis, said turntable secured above said base via a structure;a crossbar arm affixed to said turntable, said crossbar arm configured to receive and secure a working surface;said turntable affixed to a pivot point about which said turntable may pivot from a horizontal orientation to any orientation up to and including a vertical orientation; andwherein said working surface is configured to be worked while being rotated about said central axis.

2. The art table system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of wheels configured to allow for the table system to be rolled along a floor surface; andwherein said plurality of wheels are affixed to the bottom face of said base.

3. The art table system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of anchors connected to said base;each one of said plurality of anchors terminating into a foot; andeach of said plurality of anchors configured to be adjusted such that their respective foot contacts a floor surface such that said base is secured and leveled.

4. The art table system of claim 1, further comprising: an adjustable bracket selectively connected to a rail of said crossbar arm;said adjustable bracket being selectively movable along said rail; andwherein said adjustable bracket is configured to secure said working surface to said crossbar arm.

5. The art table of claim 1, further comprising: a motor connected to said turntable; andsaid motor configured to mechanically rotate said turntable about said central axis.

6. The art table of claim 1, further comprising: said turntablea pivot joint affixed to said base, said pivot joint having a first connection affixed to a first end of a hydraulic arm;a hydraulic connector connected to said turntable, said connector having a second connection to a second end of said hydraulic arm; andwherein said hydraulic arm is configured to transform from a first, compact orientation to a second, extended orientation such that said hydraulic connector is pushed away from said pivot joint, thereby pivoting said turntable about said structure.

7. The art table of claim 1, wherein said working surface comprises a canvas.