Multi-functional coffee table

Abstract

The present invention relates to a uniquely functional table. One embodiment of the invention generally comprises: a table top, one or more table top supports, one or more coaster apertures with coaster seats, and one or more multi-functional coasters seated upon the coaster seats and which are removably embedded within the table top surface. One side of the coaster(s) can be flat so to be flush or slightly raised in relation to the rest of the table top when seated upon the coaster seat within the table flat side-up. The other side of the coaster(s) can be a functional form thus providing added built-in function to the table when the coaster is seated functional side-up.

Description

RELATION TO PRIOR PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/672,644 filed on instant inventor on Apr. 19, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a uniquely functional table. More specifically, the invention relates to a uniquely functional table having one or more removably embedded functional coasters.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Coffee tables are ubiquitous in modern residences. Coffee tables provide a surface for food and drink, displaying decorative items, and storing other materials and items. However, the use of coffee tables for so many purposes often leaves them cluttered. A need exists for a table that provides built-in multi-functionality without a cluttered appearance.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a uniquely functional table. More specifically, the invention relates to a uniquely functional table having one or more removably embedded functional coasters, the coasters having a functional side and flat side so that the coasters lay flat or near flat in relation to the table top when the coasters are seated upon the coaster seats flat-side up (i.e. table-top side); and wherein the functional side of the coasters extends out from the table top and provide added built-in function to the table when the coasters are seated upon the coaster seat functional 1-side-up. Thus the removably embedded coasters provide added built-in functionality to the table when desired, with the advantage of being able to flip the coasters over to remove clutter and restore a normal (i.e. flat) appearance to the surface of the table. The flat or table-top side of the coasters can then be used as coasters for drinks etc.

The functional side of the functional coaster(s) can be virtually any functional form, including but not limited to: a vase, bowel, calender, candle holder, box, pot, picture frame, magazine holder, other functional form, so that the functional side of the coaster is usable when the coaster is seated functional-side up on the coaster seat. It should be noted that the functional side can also have decorative elements in place of or in addition to a functional element. While many of the embodiments are drawn as coffee tables, the invented table can be modified for use as virtually any type of table including but not limited to desks and end tables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is side, cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invented table.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of the table showing the coaster apertures and coaster aperture seats.

FIG. 4a-f illustrates more embodiments of the functional coasters.

FIG. 5a-b illustrates the functional-side and table-top side of a representative coaster.

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevated front view of one embodiment of the table.

FIG. 7 is side, cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invented table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a unique table and design thereof. One preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a unique coffee table having one or more multi-functional coasters that are removably embedded within the table top surface. One side of the coaster(s) can be flat so to be almost flush or slightly raised (or lowered) in relation to the rest of the table top surface when seated upon a coaster seat flat side-up. The other side of the coaster(s) can be a functional form thus providing added built-in function to the table when the coaster is seated functional side-up.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the table 5 generally comprises: a table top 1, four legs 2 (the fourth leg not shown in FIG. 1) and four removably attached, multi-functional coasters 3.

The multi-functional coasters 3 are seated upon coaster seats located within four coaster apertures (coaster apertures and coaster seats not shown in FIG. 1 but described below).

Table Support Means

Although the above-mentioned embodiment of the invention in FIG. 1 has four support legs 2 (or support means) the type and number of support means can be varied. For example the table 5 can have one or more support structures as long as they adequately support the table top 1. The support means can vary depending on size and type of support means.

The support means 2 can be attached to the table top 1 in a number of ways known in the art including the use of various fixation devices, fixation means and/or adhesives known in the art including but not limited to: screws, nails, dove tailing, pins, pegs, glues, other physical or chemical attachments means, and combinations thereof. Alternatively the table top can simply lay upon the table support structure, as long as the support structure gives the table top sufficient/desired stability.

Functional Coasters

Although the described embodiments have four coasters the number and placement of the coasters can be varied as long as the table has at least one or more functional coasters.

FIGS. 4a-f illustrates various embodiments of functional coasters that can be utilized in the invented table including: a picture frame, candle holder, plate for chopsticks and soy sauce, magazine holder, indented curve, and a bowl.

FIG. 5a illustrates a functional coaster (functional-side up) having a vase on its functional side. FIG. 5b illustrates a functional coaster (table-top side up) having a vase on its functional side. The coaster has a functional side 8, a table-top side 7, and a base 9 (FIG. 5b).

The coasters of the present invention are multi-functional. As noted, one side (table-top side) of the coasters are flat (or similar design as top) so to be flush or slightly raised with respect to the table top surface when seated within the coaster seat (described below).

As noted above, the opposite side of the coasters (functional side) can be a variety of different forms including functional forms. These functional sides of the coaster can have a myriad of functions including but are not limited to: vases, candle holders, bowels, indentations, picture frames, boxes, magazine holder, plates, bowels combinations thereof.

Thus the removably embedded coasters provide added built-in functionality to the table when desired, with the advantage of being able to flip the coasters over to remove clutter and restore a normal (i.e. flat) appearance to the surface of the table. The flat or table-top side of the coasters can then be used as coasters for drinks etc.

A myriad of surface designs and surfaces can be imagined and employed. The illustrated coasters are square or rectangular, however, the coasters can range in size, shape and other characteristics as long as they fit within their designated coaster apertures and on their aperture seating means. The placement of the coasters and number of coasters on the table top can also vary.

It should be noted that the number of coasters is not necessarily limited to the number of coaster aperture/coaster seats, additional coasters having a variety of functions could stored and exchanged or swapped with existing coasters, creating a virtually unlimited number of functional coaster combinations.

Table Top

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the table top 1, of one embodiment of the invention. The table top 1, has one or more coaster apertures 4. The coaster apertures 4, have a shape complimentary to that of the corresponding coaster (not shown but see FIG. 2) which is placed within the apertures 4. Each aperture has a seat 14 located within the aperture.

Each aperture 4 should be at least slightly larger than it corresponding coaster (not shown in FIG. 3), so that the coaster can fit within the aperture and upon the aperture seat 14. It may be helpful to allow enough size difference between the coaster and coaster aperture to allow the coaster to be easily removed. The addition or use of various means for assisting the removal and/or flipping of the coaster can be envisioned and employed. The depth of aperture should be at least deep enough for the functional element to fit within the aperture when the coaster is seated table-top side up.

The aperture seat 14 can be designed in a variety of ways. In one embodiment the seat is located within the aperture 4 and is formed by a section of the aperture which is narrower than the upper portion of the aperture 4, and the corresponding coaster base (not shown, but shown in FIG. 5b), but wider than the functional side of the coaster, creating a ridge around the edge of an inner part of the aperture 4, the ridge acting as a coaster seat 14. See, FIGS. 2 and 3.

The location of the seat within the aperture and the thickness of the coaster can vary but preferably they are designed so that the coaster 3 is flush or slightly raised, relative to the rest of the table top 1 when the coaster 3 is placed within the aperture and upon the seat 14 (table-top side up), see FIG. 2.

Other seating means can also be envisioned including but not limited to one or more arms that partially protrude into the aperture. Other ways of seating or temporarily fixing objects known in the art can also be employed. When the flat side of the coaster is facing down towards the seat, the functional side of the coaster is extends out the top of the table and provides added function to the table.

As shown in FIG. 2 when the function of a particular functional side of a coaster is no longer needed and/or desired the coaster 3 can be flipped over, hiding the functional side and exposing the flat side of the coaster restoring a normality to that surface of that portion of the table top.

Although FIG. 1 shows a square coffee table, the table top 1, can be a myriad of different shapes, sizes and colors. The table top 1 is preferably constructed out of recyclable and/or renewable materials like bamboo, however, the table top 1 can be made of a variety of materials known in the art. Suitable materials include but are not limited to: woods, recycled woods, plastics, recycled plastic, metals, metal alloys, synthetics, cements, ceramics, cellulose and lignin-cellulose based products, glass, a variety of composite materials, and combinations thereof. The thickness and other dimensions of the table 5 can be varied according to desired design and function.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the invention from a side view, the embodiment having four support means 2 or table legs (two of which are not shown in the figure). The support means 2 are attached to the table top 1. In FIG. 2 the coaster 3 is seated upon a coaster seat 14 which is located within the coaster aperture 4, in this case the coaster 3 is seated table-top side up making it flush or almost flush with the top side of the table top 1. The functional side of the coaster 3 is at least partially hidden from view as it faces down and away from the top side of the table top.

Optionally, the table can be designed so to hide the functional side of the coasters when they are placed face down (out of use). For example in FIG. 2 the functional sides of the coasters are hidden by using a underside box 6, which can be attached to the support means of the table or can be incorporated into the actual support means structure. A number of alterative means for hiding the functional sides when they are face-down (i.e. when the functional side is not being used) can be utilized.

FIG. 7 illustrates a similar table as FIG. 2 except that the coaster 3 is seated upon the coaster seat 14 functional-side up, so that the functional side of the coaster is face-up allowing the functional element of the coaster to be utilized. In FIG. 7, the functional element is a vase, however, as explained above the functional side can be a myriad of any functional forms.

FIG. 6. is another representative embodiment of the invention (shown with the coasters table-top side up).

While may of the embodiments are drawn to coffee tables, the invented table can be modified for use as virtually any type of table including but not limited to desks and end tables. The functionality of the coasters can be modified to suit the function of the type of table.

Having described the basic concept of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested and are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Additionally, the recited order of the elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters or other designations therefore, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.

All publications and patent documents cited in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent document were so individually denoted.

Claims

1. A multi-functional coffee table comprising:

a table top having a upper side and lower side;

one or more table support structures for supporting the table top;

at least one coaster having a table-top side and a functional side;

wherein the table top has at least one aperture, the at least one aperture also having a coaster support means for supporting the at least one coaster, wherein the at least one coaster is removably seated upon the coaster support means, and wherein the table top is seated upon the table support structure.

2. The multi-functional table of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises two or more legs.

3. The multi-functional table of claim 1, wherein the support structure is attached to the table top.

4. The multi-functional table of claim 1, wherein the at least one coaster can be seated upon the coaster support means table-top side up or functional-side up.

5. The multi-functional table of claim 1, wherein the functional side of the table is in a form selected from the group consisting of: a candle holder, cup, bowl, picture frame, vase, plate, magazine holder and combinations thereof.

6. The multi-functional table of claim 1, wherein the table-top side of the coaster is flat.

7. The multi-functional table of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture has a complimentary shape to that of the at least one coaster.

8. A multi-functional table comprising:

a table top having a first side and second side;

a table support means for supporting the table top;

one or more multi-functional coaster means,

wherein the table top has at least one aperture, the at least one aperture having a coaster support means for supporting the multi-functional coaster means.

9. The multi-functional table of claim 8, wherein the one or more coaster means are removably seated on the coaster support means.