Convertible folding table
A convertible folding table having a dry erasable upper table surface. The table has two complementary tabletop portions hinged together so as to form a carrying case when closed, and a table when opened. Attached to the underside of the tabletop portions are leg assemblies that may be stowed adjacent the underside of the tabletop portions when the table is in a closed position and extended for use perpendicular to the common plane of the tabletop portions when the table is in an open position for use. Also attached to the underside of the tabletop portions are storage assemblies.
1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention generally relates to a multi-use folding table. More particularly, the invention relates to a convertible folding table that includes storage containers and is able to be used for a variety of activities for both children and adults.
2. Discussion Of The Prior Art
Conventional folding tables are widely used in a variety of applications. A homeowner may have a folding table on hand in the event guests visit to supplement eating space, or to provide table space to play card or board games. Or, a sports fan may bring a small folding table to a sporting event for the serving of food and beverages at a tailgating event. Schools may have a number of folding tables on hand for many purposes, such as for temporary use in a cafeteria. Also common in the prior art are a variety of special purpose children's play tables. These tables are typically sized specially for children and may have integrated play features, such as writing surfaces.
It is desirable to produce a table with special utility for use as a children's play table. It is further desirable that such a table be able to be adapted for use by adults. It is still further desirable that such a table be foldable to be easily transported. Also, it is desirable that such a table include containers for storing items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe purpose and advantages of the invention will be set forth and apparent from the description and drawings that follow, as well as will be learned by practice of the invention.
In a first aspect of the invention, the present invention is generally embodied in a convertible folding table having a pair of complementary semi-octagonal tabletop portions each having a dry erasable upper surface and being pivotably connected to each other and adapted to form an octagon when in a first open position with the respective upper surfaces in a common plane, and to form a carrying case when in a second closed position with the respective upper surfaces in spaced apart substantially parallel planes. The convertible folding table further has a plurality of storage devices connected to an underside of at least one of the tabletop portions, and at least one leg assembly connected to each tabletop portion.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a convertible folding table having a pair of complementary tabletop portions each having an upper surface and a side wall extending perpendicular to the upper surface, the pair of complementary tabletop portions being pivotably connected together and adapted to be folded to an open position wherein the upper surface of each of the two tabletop portions are located in a common plane, and being adapted to be folded to a closed position wherein the respective upper surfaces of a tabletop portions are located in separate but substantially parallel planes and form together with the respective side walls a carrying case. The convertible foldable table further has at least one latching mechanism adapted to hold the tabletop portions adjacent each other when in the closed position, with each tabletop portion having a dry erasable top surface, and an underside and leg assemblies adapted to be stowed substantially adjacent the underside when in the closed position. The convertible folding table further has at least one storage device removably attached to the underside of at least one of the complementary tabletop portions, and the leg assemblies also are adapted to be extending downward from the tabletop portions when in the open position.
In a third aspect of the invention, a convertible folding table is provided having a pair of complementary tabletop portions each having a dry erasable upper surface and having a lower surface parallel to the upper surface, with the pair of tabletop portions being pivotably connected together and having a first closed position forming a rigid carrying case and a second open position in which the respective upper surfaces are substantially coplanar. The convertible folding table further has a plurality of length adjustable legs adapted to be extended substantially perpendicular to the lower surface for use when the tabletop portions are in the open position and adapted to be stowed substantially adjacent and parallel to the lower surface when the tabletop portions are in the closed position.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and provided for purposes of explanation only, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. Further features and objects of the present invention will become more fully apparent in the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn describing the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures wherein like parts have like reference numerals, and wherein:
Referring generally to
Peripheral outer side wall portions 16 and inner side wall portion 18 are relatively perpendicular to tabletop upper surface 14, and therefore, extend substantially vertically downward when table 10 is in an open position for use as a table. Side wall portions 16 and 18 may be made of relatively rigid materials such as plywood, fiberboard, plastic, sheet steel or of other suitable materials. The respective inner side wall portions 18 are hinged together by an elongated piano-type hinge 20, so as to form a carrying case when folded to a closed position, as best seen in
Referring to
As a result of the construction of each tabletop portion 12, the upper tabletop surface 14 may be written or drawn upon with writing instruments, such as dry erase markers. In this way, tabletop surface 14 may be used for a myriad of written expressions, including for instance, playful drawing by children, playing games that include writing, such as hang man or tic-tac-toe, as well as providing ample room to keep score when playing games. Similarly, one could draw decorations, write messages, or write names for respective place settings. As a further example, one could provide a plan for where to set particular dishes that are to be placed on the table, such as during a party. The upper surface also could be used for planning purposes in the form of a daily note board or for use in meetings that would benefit by having an area on which participants could write, such as during brainstorming sessions.
In addition to accepting easily erasable writing, due to the particular construction with the //second layer 24 being a material such as sheet steel, upper surface 14, which is the upper side of third layer 26, will be equipped to allow magnets to be magnetically adhered to it. In this manner, one could use preformed magnetic overlays, or toys commonly used by children, such as magnetic lettering sets. Also, when used for events outdoors, such as at a picnic or tailgating party, magnets could be used to hold down loose items, such as napkins, while place setting note cards could be replaced by simply writing the guests' names on the table in the various seating positions. In addition, the dry erase and magnetic features could be used together, such as with games that use magnetic game pieces.
Referring to
Each upper leg portion 32 is pivotably connected to a tabletop portion 12, such as by a pivoting engagement and foldable bracing structures 36. In the first preferred embodiment, the length of each leg 30 may be adjusted by pushing in on a push pin 38 in lower leg portion 34 and then sliding lower leg portion 34 within upper leg portion 32 until push pin 38 is aligned with the desired adjustment hole 40 in upper leg portion 32. In this way, each leg may be pivoted and locked into a position relatively perpendicular to the upper surface 14 of a tabletop portion 12, and adjusted in length prior to setting table 10 upright for use. It will be appreciated that a variety of different leg structures could be used, as well as adjustment means and structures to permit the legs to fold to a position adjacent the underside of a tabletop portion 12. Alternatively, the legs could include multiple sections that are stackable to achieve different lengths, or that may plug into respective sockets in the underside of a tabletop portion 12 for use (not shown), while being stowed adjacent the underside of the tabletop portion 12 when table 10 is folded to a closed position.
Referring to
Referring to
Attached proximate the center of respective opposing outer side wall portions 16 of tabletop portion 12 are handles 54 for ease of carrying folded table 10. It will be appreciated that one or more handles 54 may be used and each handle may be of a simple flexible strap or cord construction affixed to an outer side wall portion 16, may be of a rigid material, and preferably is retractable or pivotable, so as to be able to be moved out of the way when table 10 is in an open position for use. In the embodiment shown in
In
Turning to
A second embodiment of a convertible folding table is shown in
Thus, each tabletop portion 112, has a generally planar upper surface 114, and downward projecting peripheral walls including an outer side wall portion 116, an inner side wall portion 118, and opposing end walls 119. As with the first embodiment, peripheral side walls 116, 118 and end walls 119 are relatively perpendicular to the upper surface 114, and therefore, extend substantially vertically downward from tabletop upper surface 114 when table 110 is in an open position for use as a table. Side walls 116, 118 and end walls 119 also may be made of similar materials to those mentioned with respect to table 110. The respective inner side walls 118 are hinged together by a pair of hinges 120, so as to form a carrying case when folded to a closed position. It will be appreciated that two or more hinges, a piano-type hinge or alternative flexible material hinges may be utilized.
Referring to
In this example, each upper leg portion 132 is pivotably connected to a tabletop portion 112, such as by a pivoting engagement and foldable bracing structures 136. In this embodiment, the length of each leg assembly 130 may be adjusted by removal of pins 138, from through holes in upper leg portions 132 and lower leg portions 134. Pins 138 may include a detent mechanism or other feature to enhance the ability to stay in position when inserted into adjustment holes 140, and pins 138 may optionally include a tether (not shown) to attach pins 138 to respective upper leg portions 132 when not inserted. In this way, each leg may be pivoted and locked into a position relatively perpendicular to the upper surface 114 of a tabletop portion 112, and adjusted in length prior to setting table 110 upright for use. When table 110 is to be collapsed, leg assemblies 130 may be adjusted to a shortened leg position, and then moved to a stowed position adjacent the underside of the tabletop portion 12, as shown in
Referring further to
Referring to
Attached proximate the center of one of the outer side wall portions 116 of tabletop portion 112 is a pivotable handle assembly 154 for ease of carrying folded table 110. It will be appreciated that one or more such handle assemblies 154 may be used, and each handle assembly may be of a variety of materials and constructions. In this example, handle assembly 154 is pivotable, so as to be able to hang downward and not create an obstruction when table 110 is in an open position for use. As with the first embodiment, it will be appreciated that a carrying strap (not shown) may be applied directly to table 110, and a complementary carrying case (not shown) also may be used to protect table 110 when transporting or storing the table.
Finally, it should be understood that while preferred embodiments have been described herein, any variety of fastening means and suitable materials of construction and dimensions may be used to satisfy the particular needs and requirements of the end user. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the design and construction of a convertible folding table without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A convertible folding table comprising:
- a pair of complementary semi-octagonal tabletop portions each having a dry erasable upper surface and being pivotably connected to each other and adapted to form an octagon when in a first open position with the respective upper surfaces in a common plane, and to form a carrying case when in a second closed position with the respective upper surfaces in spaced apart substantially parallel planes;
- a plurality of storage devices connected to an underside of at least one of the tabletop portions; and
- at least one leg assembly connected to each tabletop portion.
2. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 1, wherein at lease one storage device is removably connected to an underside of at least one of the tabletop portions.
3. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 1, wherein each leg assembly is pivotably connected to one of the tabletop portions.
4. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 1, wherein each leg assembly is adjustable in length.
5. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 1, wherein each leg assembly is adapted to be stowed substantially adjacent an underside of at least one of the tabletop portions.
6. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 5, wherein each leg assembly has at least two portions that slidably engage each other and that may be temporarily fixed with respect to each other.
7. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 5, wherein each leg assembly is adapted to be adjusted to at least two different length positions.
8. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 1, wherein the dry erasable surface is formed over a steel sheet which allows magnets to be magnetically adhered to the dry erasable surface.
9. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one latching mechanism adapted to hold the tabletop portions adjacent each other when in the closed position.
10. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a foldable gaming board that overlies the upper surfaces of the tabletop portions when in the open position.
11. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 1, wherein each tabletop portion further comprises a side wall extending perpendicular to the upper surface.
12. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a pliable carrying case in which to stow or transport the convertible folding table.
13. A convertible folding table comprising:
- a pair of complementary tabletop portions each having an upper surface and a side wall extending perpendicular to the upper surface;
- the pair of complementary tabletop portions being pivotably connected together and adapted to be folded to an open position wherein the upper surface of each of the two tabletop portions are located in a common plane, and being adapted to be folded to a closed position wherein the respective upper surfaces of the tabletop portions are located in separate but substantially parallel planes and form together with the respective side walls a carrying case;
- each tabletop portion having a dry erasable top surface;
- each tabletop having an underside and leg assemblies adapted to be stowed substantially adjacent the underside when in the closed position;
- at least one storage device removably attached to the underside of at least one of the complementary tabletop portions; and
- the leg assemblies also being adapted to be extending downward from the tabletop portions when in the open position.
14. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 13, wherein each leg assembly is pivotably connected to one of the tabletop portions.
15. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 13, wherein each leg assembly is adjustable in length.
16. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 13, wherein a steel sheet underlies the dry erasable surface to allow magnets to be magnetically adhered to the dry erasable surface.
17. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 13, wherein each leg has at least two portions that slidably engage each other and that may be temporarily fixed with respect to each other.
18. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 13, further comprising at least one latching mechanism adapted to hold the tabletop portions adjacent each other when in the closed position.
19. A convertible folding table comprising:
- a pair of complementary tabletop portions each having a dry erasable upper surface and having a lower surface parallel to the upper surface;
- the pair of tabletop portions being pivotably connected together and having a first closed position forming a rigid carrying case and a second open position in which the respective upper surfaces are substantially coplanar;
- a plurality of length adjustable legs adapted to be extended substantially perpendicular to the lower surface for use when the tabletop portions are in the open position and adapted to be stowed substantially adjacent and parallel to the lower surface when the tabletop portions are in the closed position.
20. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 19, wherein the dry erasable upper surface overlies a layer which allows magnets to be magnetically adhered to the dry erasable surface.
21. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 19, wherein at lease one storage device is connected to the lower surface of at least one of the tabletop portions.
22. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 19, wherein each length adjustable leg is pivotably connected to one of the tabletop portions.
23. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 19, wherein each length adjustable leg has at least two portions that slidably engage each other and that may be temporarily fixed with respect to each other.
24. A convertible folding table in accordance with claim 19, further comprising a pliable carrying case in which to stow or transport the convertible folding table.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 20, 2007
Inventor: Tiffany Khan (Northfield, IL)
Application Number: 11/375,124
International Classification: A47B 85/00 (20060101);