TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of portable tables suspended from a vertical support.
BACKGROUND ART Not applicable.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION Not applicable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of apparatus consistent with the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the invention. In the drawings,
FIG. 1 sets forth a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a portable table suspended from a vertical support according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 sets forth a drawing illustrating a left orthogonal view of the portable table suspended from a vertical support according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 3 sets forth a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a portable table affixed to a vertical support and suspended from an overhead structure according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4 sets forth a drawing illustrating a left orthogonal view of the portable table affixed to the vertical support and suspended from an overhead structure according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 5 sets forth a drawing illustrating a cutaway of Section A in FIG. 4.
FIGS. 6A and 6B set forth drawings illustrating a front and back view, respectively of an exemplary mounting support useful in portable tables suspended from a vertical support according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 7 sets forth a drawing illustrating exemplary hanging supports useful in portable tables suspended from a vertical support according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8 sets forth a drawing illustrating exemplary hanging supports useful in portable tables suspended from a vertical support according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 9A and 9B set forth drawings illustrating a front and back view, respectively of an exemplary fastener useful in portable tables suspended from a vertical support according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 10A-D set forth drawings illustrating top orthogonal views of exemplary engagement regions of platforms useful in portable tables according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 11A-F set forth drawings illustrating top orthogonal views of exemplary platforms useful in portable tables according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 12A-D set forth drawings illustrating perspective views of a portable table (1200) according to embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Exemplary embodiments of portable tables suspended from a vertical support are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, beginning with FIG. 1. FIG. 1 sets forth a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a portable table (100) suspended from a vertical support (102) according to embodiments of the present invention. The vertical support (102) of FIG. 1 is a round pole that supports the portable table (100). The use of a round pole in the example of FIG. 1 is for explanation only and not for limitation. Vertical supports useful in portable tables according to embodiments of the present invention may include any vertical structures as will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, including for example poles, posts, or trees. Further, vertical supports useful in portable tables according to embodiments of the present invention may be any shape as will occur to those of skill in the art, including for example round, square, rectangular, triangular, elliptical, or a combination thereof.
The portable table (100) of FIG. 1 includes a platform (104). The platform (104) of FIG. 1 is a panel that provides a substantially flat work or storage surface. Although the platform (104) of FIG. 1 is substantially flat, the platform (104) may include one or more ridges for enhancing the structural integrity of the platform (104). Such ridges may be formed along the perimeter of the platform (104) or along the interior portion of platform (104). The pattern formed by the ridges may vary from one embodiment to another.
Typically, the ridges would be formed along the bottom surface of the platform (104), but ridges may also be formed along the top surface of the platform (104). Ridges formed along the edges of the top surface of the platform (104) would provide a containment barrier that would prevent items resting along the top of the platform (104) from falling off the edges. Similarly, such ridges would form a “lip” and serve to contain the spills of certain quantities of liquids in containers stored on the platform (104). In some other embodiments, it may be desirable that the liquids drain off of the top surface of the platform, and the ridges along the perimeter of the top surface therefore could have slots that would allow such liquids to drain off of the platform. To facilitate stacking the portable tables, one on top of another, the outer perimeter along the bottom surface may be configured with a “reverse lip” that corresponds with the “lip” along the outer perimeter of the top surface. In this manner, the “lip” along the perimeter of the top surface of one portable table may fit the “reverse lip” along the perimeter of the bottom surface of a portable table stacked on top of it to improve the stability of a stack of portable tables.
In the example of FIG. 1, the platform (104) has an engagement region (106) that removeably connects the platform (104) with the vertical support (102) at a first height. This first height could be any height at which the platform (104) is useful to a user, which may vary from user to user and application to application. The engagement region (106) of FIG. 1 connects the platform (104) to the vertical support (102) by providing an interface at the edge of the platform (104) against which the vertical support (102) may rest. While the engagement region (106) may be formed using any number of geometric configurations, the engagement region (106) of FIG. 1 includes a universal slot for allowing the platform to connect with vertical supports having a plurality of different shapes and a plurality of different sizes. Various shapes and sizes of the engagement region (106) are discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 10A-D.
The portable table (100) of FIG. 1 includes a mounting support (108) removeably secured to the vertical support (102) at a second height above the first height. The mounting support (108) of FIG. 1 is a structure that attaches to the vertical support (102) to provide a place to connect hanging supports (110), which in turn provide vertical support for the platform (104). The second height at which mounting support (108) of FIG. 1 is placed will depend on the weight of the platform (104) and the load that the platform (104) supports. Generally, the lower the mounting support (108) is placed, the greater the force that the hanging supports (110) must withstand; the higher the mounting support (108) is placed, the less the force that the hanging supports (110) must withstand.
In the example of FIG. 1, the mounting support (108) is implemented as a strap having a hook-and-loop fastener such as, for example, Velcro®. Essentially, one end of the mounting support (108) is configured with the hooks of a hook-and-loop fastener, while the remaining portion, or at least other end, of the mounting support (108) is configured with the loops of a hook-and-loop fastener, typically on the side of the mounting support (108) opposite of the hooks. The mounting support (108) of FIG. 1 wraps around the entire circumference of the vertical support (102) to allow the hooks of the fastener to mate with the loops of the fastener and hold the mounting support (108) in place around the vertical support (102). Implementing the mounting support (108) of FIG. 1 with a hook-and-loop fastener is for explanation only and not for limitation. In other embodiments of the present invention, a mounting support may be implemented as a strap with a ratchet that is used to tighten and hold the strap in place around a vertical support.
To aid a user in placing the mounting support (108) on the vertical support (102), a portion of the mounting support (108) may have an adhesive to initially hold the strap on the vertical support (102). Such an adhesive would typically be implemented using a low-tack, reusable pressure sensitive adhesive (or “re-adherable adhesive”). One of skill in the art will recognize that implementing the mounting support as a strap is for explanation only, not for limitation. Mounting supports useful in portable tables according to embodiments of the present invention may include any structure that attaches to the vertical support (102) to provide a place to connect hanging supports (110) as will occur to those of skill in the art, including for example cords, clamps, plastic films or wraps that may be used to encircle a vertical support and hold the weight of the platform and its load as applied by the hanging supports.
The mounting support (108) of FIG. 1 includes a mounting attachment (112) to which the hanging supports (110) of the portable table (100) connect. The mounting attachment (112) of FIG. 1 may be integrated into the structure forming the mounting support (108) or be implemented as a separate component. In the example of FIG. 1, the mounting attachment (112) is implemented as a loop that is a separate component from the strap forming the mounting support (108). In other embodiments, however, the loop may be integrated into the strap forming the mounting support (108). In FIG. 1, the strap forming part of the mounting support (108) passes through the loop forming the mounting attachment (112). The hanging supports also pass through the loop forming the mounting attachment (112) of FIG. 1. In this manner, the mounting attachment (112) of FIG. 1 provides a point at which the hanging supports (110) may removeably connect to the mounting support (108). While the mounting attachment (112) of FIG. 1 is implemented as a loop, one of skill in the art will recognize that the mounting attachment may be implemented using other structures such as a hook attached to the strap forming part of the mounting support (108). In other embodiments, the hanging supports (110) may removeably connect directly to the strap forming the mounting support (108) by passing through a space between the strap and the vertical support (102).
In the example of FIG. 1, the portable table (100) includes a plurality of hanging supports (110a-c). Each hanging support (110) in FIG. 1 is a thin structure that transfers the weight of the platform (104) and its load to the mounting support (108). Each hanging support (110) of FIG. 1 may be implemented as a cord, strap, rope, telescoping or fixed length brace, or in any other manner as will occur to those of skill in the art. Each hanging support (110) in FIG. 1 removeably connects the platform (104) to the mounting support (108). That is, at least one end of the hanging support (110) is capable of being disconnected from either the platform (104) or the mounting support (108), or both. In the example of FIG. 1, each hanging support (110) is implemented as a strap. The first end of the strap connects to the platform (104), and the second end of the strap has a fastener that connects to the strap to form a loop. The loop formed from the strap connects with the mounting support (108). The fastener used in FIG. 1 is a hook that connects back to the strap when the hook is inserted into preconfigured holes along the length of the strap.
The hanging supports (110) in the example of FIG. 1 connect to platform (104) in any number of ways as will occur to those of skill in the art. Often the manner in which the hanging supports (110) connect to the platform (104) will depend on the implementation of the hanging supports. For example, when the hanging supports are implemented using straps, the strap may connect to the platform (104) via a rivet or bolt. Still further, the strap may pass through a hole in the platform and have an anchor on the other side of the platform that prevents the strap from passing back through the hole in the platform (104). When the hanging support is implemented as a cord or rope in an embodiment, the cord or rope may pass through a hole in the platform and have an anchor attached to it or be tied in a knot that prevents the cord or rope from passing back through the platform. In other embodiments, a rope, cord, or strap could be clamped to the platform (104).
In other embodiments, each hanging support (110) is implemented as a braided rope. The first end of the braided rope connects to the platform (104), and the second end of the braided rope has a hook that punctures the rope to form a loop. The loop formed from the braided rope connects with the mounting support (108). In other embodiments, other fasteners may be used to connect the braided rope back to itself, thereby forming a loop that connects to the mounting support (108). These fasteners may be implemented as cable ties, wire ties, quick ties, clamps, a ratchet system, or any other fastener as will occur to those of skill in the art.
In the portable table (100) of FIG. 1, there are three hanging supports (110). One of the hanging supports (110c) connects to the platform (104) adjacent to the engagement region (106) to prevent the platform (104) from sliding down the vertical support (102) under its own weight or when a load is applied. The other two hanging supports (110a,b) connect to the platform (104) at the corners of the platform (104) to provide the broadest range of stability with respect to various load distributions.
In the example of FIG. 1, the platform (104) includes several hooks (116) along the edges of the platform (104). These hooks (116) of FIG. 1 may be used to hang a variety of components associated with the portable table (100) or other items as will occur to those of skill in the art. For example, one of the hooks (116) may be used to hang a towel, goggles, or keys when the portable table (100) is used near water. When using the portable table (100) as a platform on which to set a portable barbeque pit at waist level, the hooks (116) may be used to hang the barbeque equipment lid, cooking utensils, towels or rags as will occur to those of skill in the art. Still further, the hooks (116) may be used to attach several extensions to the bottom of the portable table (100) that, in turn, connect to another platform beneath the portable table (100). The top of these extensions could be secured to the hooks (116) and extend downward from the platform (104). The bottom of the extensions could secure a platform of similar shape and size as the platform (104), thereby form a shelf beneath the platform (104). In this manner, one would be able to daisy-chain two or more platforms together to provide several vertically stacked portable shelves.
The portable table (100) in the example of FIG. 1 also includes a fastener (not shown in FIG. 1) for removeably securing the platform (104) to the vertical support (102) when connected to prevent the platform (104) from moving away from the vertical support (102). For further explanation, the fastener is described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 sets forth a drawing illustrating a left orthogonal view of the portable table (100) suspended from a vertical support (102) according to embodiments of the present invention. The portable table (100) of FIG. 2 is similar to the portable table (100) of FIG. 1 and is comprised of similar components: a platform (104) having an engagement region (106); the engagement region (106) removeably connecting the platform (104) with the vertical support (102) at a first height; a mounting support (108) removeably secured to the vertical support (102) at a second height above the first height; and a plurality of hanging supports (110) such that each hanging support (110) removeably connects the platform (104) to the mounting support (108).
The portable table (100) of FIG. 2 also includes a fastener (114) for removeably securing the platform (104) to the vertical support (102) when connected to prevent the platform (104) from moving away from the vertical support (102). The fastener (114) of FIG. 2 is implemented as a strap having a hook-and-loop fastener. The strap is of sufficient length to encircle the vertical support (102), and the hook-and-loop fastener secures the strap around the vertical support (102). The fastener (114) of FIG. 2 is mounted at one end to the underside of the platform (104) using a rivet, clamp, or any other mounting technique as will occur to those of skill in the art. The other end of the fastener (114) wraps around the vertical support (102) and attaches to itself via the hook-and-loop fastener. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that the fastener (114) may be implemented in other ways such as, for example, a clamp or a latch that mounts to the edge of the platform (104) facing the vertical support (102) and extends around the backside of the vertical support (102) to secure the platform (104) to the vertical support (102). In still other embodiments, the fastener may be implemented as a strap with a ratchet that is used to tighten and hold the strap in place around a vertical support.
One skilled in the art will note that with the addition of the fastener (114), the need for a hanging support (110) adjacent to the engagement region (106) is minimized or eliminated. However, having additional hanging supports may be useful to provide backup stabilization should the fastener (114) fail because of the load on the platform (104).
FIG. 3 sets forth a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a portable table (200) affixed to a vertical support (202) and suspended from an overhead structure (205) according to embodiments of the present invention. The overhead structure (205) of FIG. 3 is the lattice frame of a canopy (212) under which the portable table (200) is configured. Other overhead structures (205) as will occur to those of skill in the art may also be useful in accordance with embodiments of the present invention such as, for example, the frame of an overhead awning, arbor, overhead balcony, or other overhead frame.
The portable table (200) of FIG. 3 includes a platform (204) having an engagement region (206). The platform (204) of FIG. 3 is a panel that provides a substantially flat work or storage surface. The platform (204) of FIG. 3 may include one or more ridges for enhancing the structural integrity of the platform (204). In addition to providing structural integrity, the ridges that may be configured around the edges of the platform (204) may also serve to retain items or loose liquids that may be placed or spilled on the top surface of the platform (204).
The engagement region (206) of FIG. 3 removeably connects the platform (204) with the vertical support (202) by providing an interface at the edge of the platform (204) against which the vertical support (202) may rest. In the example of FIG. 3, the engagement region (206) removeably connects the platform (204) with a leg of a portable canopy (212). While the engagement region (206) may be formed using any number of geometric configurations, the engagement region (206) of FIG. 3 includes a universal slot for allowing the platform to connect with vertical supports having a plurality of different shapes and a plurality of different sizes. Various shapes and sizes of the engagement region (106) are discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 10A-D.
The portable table (200) of FIG. 3 includes a fastener (reference 214 in FIGS. 4 and 5) for removeably securing the platform (104) to the vertical support (202) when connected. In this manner, the fastener prevents the platform (104) from moving away from the vertical support (102) and provides both lateral and vertical stability for the platform (104). In the example of FIG. 3, the fastener (not shown) is mounted to the underside of the platform (204) using a rivet (220), but other mounting technique as will occur to those of skill in the art may also be useful such as for example, clamps, or screws. Still further, the fastener may be attached to the platform (204) without mounting such as by passing the fastener through a slot in the platform (204).
The portable table (200) of FIG. 3 includes one or more hanging supports (210). Each hanging support (210) removeably connects the platform (204) to the overhead structure (205), which in the example of FIG. 3, is the frame of the portable canopy (212). In the example of FIG. 3, each hanging support (210) is implemented as a strap. Each strap in FIG. 3 has a plurality of holes. One end of the strap connects to the platform (204), while the second end of the strap has a hook that attaches to one or more of the holes to form a loop that wraps around a portion of the overhead structure (212). One skilled in the art will note that in some embodiments, each hanging support (210) may be implemented using a retractable strap to aid disassembly and storage of the portable table (200).
Although not shown in FIG. 3, the portable table (200) may include a hook, or other point of attachment as will occur to those of skill in the art, under the platform (204). A weight may then be attached underneath the platform (204) to stabilize the portable table (200) and any structure to which it is attached from forces imposed by wind, animals or items colliding with the portable table or the structure to which it is attached, or any other forces that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize could destabilize the portable table (200) or the structure (212). The amount of the weight would vary depending on the hazards in an environment surrounding the portable table (200). Generally, higher amounts of weight applied to the platform (204) result in a more stable system. However, the weight cannot be so high that the structural integrity of the portable table (200) and the structure (212) is compromised.
As mentioned above, the fastener of the portable table (200) is described further with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 sets forth a drawing illustrating a left orthogonal view of the portable table (200) affixed to the vertical support (202) and suspended from an overhead structure (212) according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates the fastener (214) of the exemplary portable table (200) that removeably secures the platform (204) to the vertical support (202) when connected.
FIG. 5 sets forth a drawing illustrating a cutaway of Section A in FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 5, the fastener (214) is implemented as a strap having a hook-and-loop fastener. One end of the strap mounts to the platform (204) via a rivet (220), but other mounting techniques may be used as will occur to those of skill in the art. The strap is of sufficient length to encircle the vertical support (202), and the hook-and-loop fastener secures the strap around the vertical support (202).
In other embodiments, the portable table (200) may utilize a fastener implemented as a latch having a first end and a second end. The first end of the latch may be mounted to a vertical edge of the platform (204) adjacent to the vertical support (202) using a hinge or flexible connection. The second end of the latch may removeably connect to the platform (204) along the vertical edge of the platform (204) adjacent to but on the opposite side of the vertical support (202). The latch may be removeably secured to the platform (204) by a variety of mechanisms as will occur to those of skill in the art such as, for example, a pin. In such a configuration, the latch is configured to secure the vertical support (202) to the platform (204) when the second end is connected to the platform (204). That is, the latch closes around the vertical support (202) to keep the platform (204) connected with the vertical support (202).
FIGS. 6A and 6B set forth drawings illustrating a front and back view, respectively of an exemplary mounting support (600) useful in portable tables suspended from a vertical support according to embodiments of the present invention. The mounting support (600) of FIGS. 6A and 6B is implemented as a strap with a hook-and-loop fastener. The front side of the mounting support (600) depicted in FIG. 6A illustrates the fine loops (602) that are snagged by the small hooks (604) depicted in FIG. 6B. The back side of the mounting support (600) also includes an adhesive (606) to initially hold the strap on the vertical support (102). As previously described, such an adhesive would typically be implemented using a low-tack, reusable pressure sensitive adhesive (or “re-adherable adhesive”).
FIGS. 7 and 8 set forth drawings illustrating exemplary hanging supports useful in portable tables suspended from a vertical support according to embodiments of the present invention. The hanging support (700) of FIG. 7 is implemented as a braided cord. One end (702) of the hanging support (700) is attached to the platform of a portable table according to embodiments of the present invention. The end (702) may be attached via a rivet, screw, clamp, or some other mounting technique as will occur to those of skill in the art. In other embodiment, the end (702) may pass through a slot in the platform of a portable table according to embodiments of the present invention and then be configured in a knot or tied to a washer to prevent the hanging support from sliding back through the platform. Such examples are for explanation only and not for limitation.
The hanging support (800) of FIG. 8 is implemented as a strap having a plurality of holes (801). The first end (802) of the hanging support (800) connects to the platform of a portable table according to embodiments of the present invention in the manner similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 7 or any other manner as will occur to those of skill in the art. The second end (804) has a hook that attaches to one or more of the holes to form a loop that wraps around a portion of a mounting support of a portable table according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 9A and 9B set forth drawings illustrating a front and back view, respectively of an exemplary fastener (900) useful in portable tables suspended from a vertical support according to embodiments of the present invention. The fastener (900) of FIGS. 9A and 9B is implemented as a strap with a hook-and-loop fastener. The front side of the fastener (900) depicted in FIG. 9A illustrates the fine loops (902) that are snagged by the small hooks (904) depicted in FIG. 9B.
FIGS. 10A-D set forth drawings illustrating top orthogonal views of exemplary engagement regions (1000) of platforms (1002) useful in portable tables according to embodiments of the present invention. The engagement region (1000a) of FIG. 10A is formed from platform (1002a) and is configured by removing a large triangular region from the edge of the platform (1002a) and removing two smaller triangular regions from the edges created by removing the first larger triangular region. The engagement region (1000b) of FIG. 10B is formed from platform (1002b) and is configured by removing a large rectangular region from the edge of the platform (1002b), removing a smaller rectangular region from the edge created by removing the larger rectangular region, and removing an even smaller rectangular region from the edge created by removing the smaller rectangular region. The engagement region (1000c) of FIG. 10C is formed from platform (1002c) and is configured by removing a semicircular region from the edge of the platform (1002c). The engagement region (1000d) of FIG. 10D is formed from platform (1002d) and is configured by removing a triangular region from the edge of the platform (1002d). One of skill in the art will recognize that the exemplary engagement regions (1000) of FIGS. 10A-D are for explanation only and not for limitation. Engagement regions useful in portable tables according to embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a variety of shapes and sizes to allow such portable tables to be suspended from a variety of vertical supports.
FIGS. 11A-F set forth drawings illustrating top orthogonal views of exemplary platforms (1100) useful in portable tables according to embodiments of the present invention. The platform (1100a) of FIG. 11A is substantially trapezoidal in shape. The platform (1100b) of FIG. 11B is substantially pentagonal in shape. The platform (1100c) of FIG. 11C is substantially trapezoidal in shape with rounded corners. The platform (1100d) of FIG. 11D is substantially pentagonal in shape with rounded corners. The platform (1100e) of FIG. 11E is substantially circular in shape. The platform (1100f) of FIG. 11F is substantially semi-circular in shape.
FIGS. 12A-D set forth drawings illustrating perspective views of a portable table (1200) according to embodiments of the present invention as that portable table is installed and subsequently suspended from a vertical support (1202). As shown in FIG. 12A, the mounting support (1204) is first configured around the vertical support (1202). The mounting support (1204) of FIGS. 12A-D is implemented as a strap that has a loop-and-hook fastener. The mounting support (1204) of FIG. 12A wraps around the vertical support (1202) exposing the loops of the loop-and-hook fastener. The end of the mounting support (1204) of FIG. 12A having the hooks and being wrapped around the vertical support (1202) then attaches to the loops exposed on the mounting support (1204). In the example of FIG. 12A, the mounting support (1204) includes a mounting attachment (1206) in the form of a loop.
FIG. 12B depicts a first hanging support (1210a) connected to the platform (1208) and the mounting support (1204). One end of the first hanging support (1210a) mounts to the platform (1208), while the other end of the first hanging support (1210a) passes through the mounting attachment (1206) and connects back to itself using a hook.
FIG. 12C depicts a second hanging support (1210b) connected to the platform (1208) and the mounting support (1204). One end of the second hanging support (1210b) mounts to the platform (1208), while the other end of the second hanging support (1210b) passes through the mounting attachment (1206) and connects back to itself using a hook.
FIG. 12D depicts a first hanging support (1210c) connected to the platform (1208) and the mounting support (1204). One end of the third hanging support (1210c) mounts to the platform (1208), while the other end of the third hanging support (1210c) passes through the mounting attachment (1206) and connects back to itself using a hook.
In other embodiments, a portable table according to embodiments of the present invention may be affixed to a vertical support using one or more braces. Such an exemplary portable table may include a platform having one or more engagement regions. Each engagement region of the exemplary table may removeably connect to the platform with the vertical support. The exemplary portable table may include a fastener for removeably securing the platform to the vertical support when connected. Further, the exemplary portable table may include one or more braces such that each brace removeably connects the platform to the vertical support. These braces may be implemented as a rigid rods or telescoping supports that may be used to strengthen the structural integrity of the platform for the portable table according to embodiments of the present invention. Each brace may be rotatably mounted to the side or the underside of the platform. While one end of each brace is typically mounted to a platform according to embodiments of the present invention, the other end of the brace may be removeably connected to the vertical support either above the platform or below.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described in details and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is determined by the claims that follow.
