Table With Rotatable Writing Surface

Abstract

A table is disclosed, which has a rotatable writing device and a non-rotatable table portion. The rotatable writing device has an upper surface for accepting writing. The table portion includes a plurality of lobes to provide convenient work space that does not interfere with rotation and use of the writing device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tables and more particularly to a table that includes a rotatable writing device with a surface for receiving writing.

2. Background of the Invention

When a number of individuals work together collaboratively it is frequently helpful for them to work around a single table. When the subject of the groups' work involves a writing to which two or more individuals contribute, it is useful to provide a single writing surface and to provide means to rotate the writing so that individuals at varying positions around the table may easily view and contribute to the writing.

It is known to make a table that includes a separately rotatable element. Such tables, however, typically provide a rotatable element that is similar in composition to the surface of the non-rotatable portion of the table. The purpose of such tables usually is to facilitate access to objects on the rotatable element from positions anywhere around the perimeter of the table. Such tables do not provide a rotatable surface on which writings can be made directly and easily erased. Moreover, such tables generally are square or rectangular in shape and do not provide a convenient surface for users to store references or on which users can do individual work without interfering with the rotatable portion of the table.

3. Objects and Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a table that includes a rotatable writing device with a surface for directly receiving readily erasable writing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a writing surface for directly receiving writings, which allows such writings to be erased easily.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a table with a rotatable writing surface that also includes convenient work surfaces that may be used without interfering with the rotatable portion of the table.

These and other objectives are met by a table having a non-rotatable table portion with an upper surface that extends in a first plane and a writing device rotatably interconnected to the table portion, having an upper surface adapted to receive writing and wherein the non-rotatable table portion includes a plurality of lobes to provide working surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is top plan view of a table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a table according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along section line 2A/2B-2A/2B.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of a table according to another embodiment of the present invention, taken along section line 2A/2B-2A/2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen a table, designated generally by reference numeral 10, comprising a conventional table portion 12 having an upwardly facing surface 14, and a writing device 16 rotatably mounted to table portion 12. Writing device 16 includes an upper surface 18 on which a user may write using an appropriate writing instrument, such as a dry erase marker, chalk, and the like. Accordingly, upper surface 18 may be composed of any conventional writing substrate, such as a dry erase board, chalk board, and the like.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, upper surface 14 of table portion 12 and upper surface 18 of writing device 16 extend co-planar relative to one another and preferably parallel to the floor. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, table portion 12 includes an open region 20 in which writing device 16 is positioned. A mounting bracket 22 is attached to the underside 24 of table portion 12 and writing device 16 is mounted thereon with a bearing 26 that permits its rotation relative to table portion 12.

Table portion 12 can be made of a variety of conventional table materials, including, for example, wood, metal, glass, plastic and combinations thereof. Preferably, the upwardly facing surface 14 of the table portion 12 is generally smooth. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that for certain applications it may be useful to have a textured surface and/or to provide a lip or other depressed or elevated feature, for example around the outer or inner perimeter of the table portion 12. In certain applications, however, it may be useful to use a semispherical or frustoconical writing device 16, in which case the writing device 16 would extend above the plane of the table portion 12.

In the preferred embodiment, the writing device 16 and the table portion 12 are both in the same plane. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that for certain applications it may be useful to provide a writing device 16 that is above or below the plane of the table portion 12.

The writing device 16 may be made of a variety of materials including wood, metal, glass, plastic or combinations thereof. To aid in rotation of the rotatable center portion, gripping features such as knobs, handholds or portions of high friction material can be added to the writing device 16.

The writing device 16 preferably is rotatable through a full 360° relative to the table portion 12. Writing device 16 can be supported by any mechanism that will allow it to rotate with respect to the table portion 12 and will maintain its horizontal position with respect to the table portion 12. One example is the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A and described above.

In an alternate embodiment, depicted in FIG. 2B, writing device 16 has a frustoconical shape at its outer edge 28, which corresponds to the shape of the inner edge 30 of table portion 12. According to this embodiment, writing device 16 is supported by bearing 18′ located around the inner edge 30 of the table portion 12. Alternatively, bearing 18′ could be located around the outer edge 28 of writing device 16. Writing device 16 can also be supported without the use of bearings, for example, by rollers fixedly attached to the underside of table portion 12 which are positioned to support the underside of writing device 16 about its perimeter.

Preferably, the outer edge 28 and inner edge 30 are closely matched to prevent materials from slipping through the gap between outer edge 28 and inner edge 30. There must be sufficient distance between outer edge 28 and inner edge 30 to permit r writing device 16 to rotate freely. Those skilled in the art will recognize that outer edge 28 and inner edge 30 can each be formed with corresponding contours. For example, outer edge 28 can be formed with a convex rim that corresponds with a concave rim on inner edge 30. With reference once again to FIG. 1, table portion 12 is preferably shaped with a plurality of lobes 40. It is intended that users of table 10 would stand or sit between adjacent lobes, thus having convenient access to writing device 16 while utilizing the lobes 40 to set papers, books, computers, or other supplies or equipment. While table 10 is illustrated as including room for four occupants, it is to be understood that table 10 could be formed to any desired geometry.

While there has been illustrated and described what are at present considered to be preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood and appreciated that modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, and that the appended claims encompass all such modifications that fall within the full spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A table comprising:

a table portion having an upper surface that extends in a first plane; and

a writing device interconnected to said table portion for rotation relative thereto, and having an upper surface adapted to receive writing thereon.

2. The table of 1 wherein said writing device's upper surface is selected from the group consisting of dry-erase board and chalkboard.

3. The table of 1 wherein said table portion and said writing device are coplanar.

4. The table of 1 wherein said table portion comprises a plurality of lobe-shaped extensions about its perimeter.

5. The table of 1 wherein said table portion includes an opening for receiving said writing device.

6. The table of 1 wherein said writing device rotates on a bearing.

7. The table of 1 wherein said writing device's upper surface is inclined relative to said table portion's upper surface.

8. The table of 1 wherein said writing device is frustoconical in shape.

9. A table comprising:

a table portion having a plurality of lobes evenly spaced about its perimeter, an upper surface, and an opening centrally positioned relative to said upper surface; and

a writing device positioned within said opening and rotatably interconnected to said table portion, said writing device having an upper surface adapted to receive writing thereon.

10. The table of 9 wherein said writing device rotates on a bearing.

11. The table of 9 wherein said writing device's upper surface is selected from the group consisting of dry-erase board and chalkboard.

12. A writing device for use with a table, said writing device comprising:

an upper surface adapted to receive writing thereon;

and a bearing for rotatably supporting said writing device on said table.

13. The writing device of 12 wherein said writing device's upper surface is selected from the group consisting of dry-erase board and chalkboard.

14. The writing device of 12 wherein said writing device is frustoconical in shape.