Information
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Patent Grant
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6802263
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Patent Number
6,802,263
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Date Filed
Thursday, December 26, 200221 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, October 12, 200420 years ago
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 108 25
- 108 26
- 108 24
- 108 5018
- 108 5011
- 108 20
- 108 21
- 108 22
- 206 216
- 220 910
- 220 911
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A table and trash disposal combination device includes a table including a tabletop having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge. The tabletop has an opening extending therethrough. A plurality of legs is attached to and extends downward from the tabletop. A cover is positionable in the opening for substantially closing the opening. A garbage receptacle may be positioned below the table and aligned with the opening such that debris may be placed into the receptacle through the opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to table combinations and more particularly pertains to a new table combination for a table that would allow easy discarding of food and containers from an eating area.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of table combinations is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,305 describes a table lop having the major part of its surface rounding a central opening. Another type of table combination is U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,047 describes a table mounted trash disposal system including a container attached to a table. U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,716 describes a standing table with a hollow formed pedestal and table top for facilitating stacking of multiple tables together to save space.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that facilitates easy convenient cleanup, serving of food, and the playing of games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the needs presented above by incorporating an opening in the table top that empties into a garbage container. In addition the opening has a cover that can be used to cover the opening and is rotatable such that it can be utilized as a serving piece.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new table combination that would save the user time and effort involved in cleanup.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new table combination that would be well suited for entertaining as users could easily dispose of unwanted items themselves with out leaving the table.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cover for the opening that rotates such that game boards or food serving stations could be positioned on the cover and selectively rotated.
To this end, the present invention generally comprises a table including a tabletop having a top surface, a bottom surface and a. peripheral edge. The tabletop has an opening extending therethrough. A plurality of legs is attached to and extends downward from the tabletop. A cover is positionable in the opening for substantially closing the opening. A garbage receptacle may be positioned below the table and aligned with the opening such that debris may be placed into the receptacle through the opening.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a table and trash disposal combination device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
2
—
2
of
FIG. 1
of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a cross-sectional view of the tabletop and arm of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIGS. 1 through 3
thereof, a new table combination embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral
10
will be described.
As best illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 3
, the table and trash disposal combination device
10
generally comprises a table
12
including a tabletop
14
having a top surface
16
, a bottom surface
18
and a peripheral edge
20
. The tabletop
14
has an opening
22
extending therethrough. The opening
22
is preferably substantially centrally disposed in the tabletop
14
. A plurality of legs
24
is attached to and extends downward from the tabletop
14
.
A cover
26
is positionable in the opening
22
for substantially closing the opening
22
. A support assembly
28
is attached to the tabletop
14
for supporting the cover
26
in the opening
22
. The support assembly
28
includes a plurality of arms
30
. Each of the arms
30
is attached to the bottom surface
18
adjacent to the opening
22
and each extends inward such that when the cover
26
is positioned in the opening
22
, it is positioned on the arms
30
. Each of a plurality of ball bearings
32
is rotatably mounted on an upper surface
34
of one of the arms
30
. The cover
26
rests on the ball bearings
32
when positioned in the opening
22
. The cover
26
may be rotated on the bearings
32
to define a server. The cover
26
preferably has an aperture
27
extending therethrough for selectively receiving an umbrella, not shown.
In use, a garbage receptacle
2
may be positioned below the table
12
and aligned with the opening
22
. When needed the, cover
26
may be removed such that debris may be placed in the receptacle
2
through the opening
22
. When the cover
26
is on the support assembly
28
, a food tray may be positioned on the cover
26
and rotated to act as a server. Alternatively, a game board may be positioned on the cover so that game players may rotate the game board for easier access thereto.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A table and trash disposal combination system comprising:a table including a tabletop having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge, said tabletop having a opening extending therethrough, said opening being substantially centrally disposed, a plurality of legs being attached to and extending downward from said tabletop; a cover being positionable in said opening for substantially closing said opening, a support assembly being attached to said tabletop for supporting said cover in said opening, said support assembly including; a plurality of arms, each of said arms being attached to said bottom surface adjacent to said opening and extending inward such that said cover is positioned on said arms when said cover is positioned in said opening; a plurality of ball bearings, each of said ball bearings being rotatably mounted on an upper surface of one of said arms, said cover resting on said ball bearings when positioned in said opening, wherein said cover may be rotated on said bearings; and wherein a garbage receptacle may be positioned below said table and aligned with said opening such that debris may be placed into the receptacle through said opening.
US Referenced Citations (14)