Tale with adjustable table top height

Abstract

A table with adjustable table top height is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the table has legs of a first height that attach to a table top. Additionally, a set of leg extenders is provided that is adapted to be positioned between the table top and the legs in order to position the table top at a second, greater height relative to the surface on which the table is positioned. Alternatively, an apron may be employed instead of or in addition to the set of leg extenders.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a nonprovisional application which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/832,220, filed Jul. 19, 2006, entitled “Adjustable Height Table,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an adjustable height table. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable height table where the consumer may determine the height of the table by including or not including one or more components to adjust the height of the table top past the height of the table legs.

Tables are in wide use by consumers in a variety of applications and settings, including in private and commercial settings. Consumers may purchase tables of different heights according to their needs and wishes, although most consumers are currently limited by the table heights offered by manufacturers. The desired height of a table may vary depending upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the space the table will be used in, the height of the consumers using the table, the purpose of the table, the style of table and/or the style of the environment in which the table will be used. Because tables are so commonly used, it is frequently the case that a table may be purchased for one use or setting, but then the consumer may wish to use the same table for a different use or in a different setting. In changing the purpose or setting of the table, it is likely that the consumer may wish to change the height of the table. Additionally, a change in ownership of the table or a number of other factors, including a change in décor, may cause the consumer to wish to change the table height.

Typically if a consumer wishes to have a table of a new height, the consumer must cut an existing table to a smaller height or must get a new table of the new desired height. A typical consumer cannot raise the height of a table his or herself. Furthermore, a typical consumer is unable to easily lower the height of the table by cutting the table legs. This is especially true in light of the variety of table constructions which involve ornamental or complicated bases.

In order to reduce the cost to consumers and to increase flexibility in interior and exterior decorating, it may be desirable to have a table that allows the consumer to easily adjust the height of the table, either lower or greater, as they wish.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a table with an adjustable height table top. The height may be adjusted by the inclusion or exclusion of a set of components that may be fastened to the legs or base of the table to adjust the height of the table. The components may be embodied as the leg extenders, an apron, or some other form that fits into the structure of the table. The components may be easily attached to, or removed from, the table as the consumer desires in order to adjust the height of the table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary table according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary table according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of an embodiment of the exemplary adjustable table of FIG. 1 with the leg extenders installed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of an embodiment of the exemplary adjustable table of FIG. 1 with the leg extenders installed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the exemplary adjustable table of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative adjustable table that employs a removable apron.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative adjustable table that employs a removable apron.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary table according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary table according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrate exemplary fasteners for the exemplary embodiment wherein the leg extenders are located at the bottom of the legs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary adjustable table 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 illustrates the adjustable table 100 in an exploded view. That is, the table 100 includes a table top 110, a set of table legs 120, a set of leg extenders 130 and a leg support element 140. Further, each table leg 120 includes a leg insert aperture 125 preferably at the top of the leg 120. Each of the leg extenders 130 includes a leg extender insert element 132 and a leg extender insert aperture 135. The table top 110 includes a plurality of table top insert elements 112. Each table leg 120 includes at least one leg fastener aperture 127. Each of the leg extenders 130 includes at least one leg extender fastener aperture 137.

The table top 110 includes a lower support element 114, a top support element 116, a support connector 115 and cross-supports 118. The lower support element 114 is connected to the support connectors 115, which in turn are connected to the top support element 116. The cross-supports 118 are preferably connected to the top support element 116.

The table top insert elements 112 are adapted to fit into both the leg extender insert apertures 135 and the leg insert apertures 125, and may be secured using leg extender fastener aperture 137 or leg fastener aperture 127. The table top 110 thus able to be positioned at a vertical height either directly above the table legs 120 or directly above the leg extenders 130, which are in turn positioned at a vertical height above the table legs 120.

In operation, in order to position the adjustable height table with the table top at a first height or vertical position relative to the surface on which the table is positioned, the user proceeds as follows. First, the table top insert elements 112 of the table top 110 are introduced into the leg insert apertures 125 of each of the legs 120. Next, the table top insert elements 112 are fastened into the leg insert apertures 125 of the legs 120 using the leg fastener apertures 127.

Alternatively, if the user desires to position the table top 110 at a second, greater height relative to the surface on which the table is positioned, the user proceeds as follows. First, the table top insert elements 112 may be inserted instead into the leg extender insert apertures 135, and the table top insert elements 112 may be fastened to the leg extenders 130 using the leg extender fastener apertures 137. Next, the leg extender insert elements 132 may in turn be inserted into the leg insert apertures 125. Further, the leg extenders 130 may in turn be fastened to the legs 120 using the leg fastener apertures 127. Consequently, the vertical height of the table top 110 relative to the supporting surface on which the adjustable height table is positioned is increased by the height of the leg extenders 130.

FIG. 2 illustrates the adjustable height table as assembled with the leg extenders 130 installed between the table top 110 and legs 120. The leg fastener apertures 127 and leg extender fastener apertures 137 are also shown. More specifically, bolts 210 have been inserted into the leg fastener apertures 127 and leg extender fastener apertures 137 to affix the table top 110 to the leg extenders 130 and to affix the leg extenders 130 to the legs 120.

Although the exemplary table in FIGS. 1-2 employs a leg set 120 which includes four legs, a greater or lesser number of legs may be employed, and the leg set 120 may alternatively include a single base leg. Also, although FIG. 1 shows legs that curve near the base, straight legs or legs of other configurations may be employed. Furthermore, while FIGS. 1-2 shows rectangular legs and rectangular leg extenders, the legs and leg extenders may be any shape, including, for example, cylindrical and/or oval. Each of the legs and/or leg extenders may be of different shapes from one another. The legs and/or leg extenders may also include ornamentation. Additionally, the set of several leg extenders may be referred to as a leg extender set.

Additionally, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 shows the table top insert elements, the leg extender insert elements, the leg extender aperture and the leg aperture to be square or rectangular, they may be any shape, including, for example, round.

Further, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 employs leg extenders that are four inches in height, the height of the leg extenders may vary as desired. In addition, although the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 employs legs that are 17 inches in height and a table top that is 5 inches in height, the height of the legs and/or the table top may vary as desired.

Additionally, more that one set of leg extenders may be employed. In a first example, the table 100 may be shipped with two sets of leg extenders. The first set of legs extenders may have a first length, such as 4 inches for example, and the second set of leg extenders may have a second length such as 6 inches for example. In this embodiment, if the user desires the height of the table top to be increased upward by 4 inches, the user installs the first set of leg extenders. Conversely, if the user desires the height of the table top to be increased upward by 6 inches, the user installs the second set of leg extenders.

In a second example of an embodiment that is shipped with two sets of leg extenders, the leg extenders may cooperate to provide a third, even greater height adjustment for the table top. For example, the first set of leg extenders may have a height of 4 inches and the second set of leg extenders may have a height of 2 inches. If the user desires the height of the table top to be increased by 2 inches, then the user installs only the second set of leg extenders. However, if the user desires the height of the table top to be increased by 4 inches, then the user installs only the first set of leg extenders. In addition, if the user desires the height of the table top to be increased by 6 inches, then the user first installs the first set of leg extenders, and then installs the second set of leg extenders on top of the first set of leg extenders.

Also, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 shows the leg extenders as being positioned at the top of the legs, the leg extenders may alternatively be located anywhere along the vertical height of the legs. For example, the leg extenders may be alternatively located at the bottom of the legs.

In addition, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 shows a table top insert element 112 which is introduced into either a leg extender insert aperture 135 or a leg insert aperture 125, the insert and aperture may be reversed, meaning the table top may have a table top insert aperture rather than a table top insert element, and the leg extender insert may be introduced into the table top insert aperture. Furthermore, the table leg 120 may have a leg insert instead of a leg insert aperture 125, where the leg insert is introduced into the leg extender insert aperture. Any of the embodiments discussed above may also be reversed.

Further, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 shows two leg extender fastener apertures 137 on each leg extender 130, there may be any number of leg extender fasteners, such as one or three, for example. Additionally, there may be any number of leg fasteners on each of the legs, such as one or three, for example. Also, it is not necessary for each leg and/or leg extender to have the same number of fasteners. Also, where the inserts and apertures have been reversed, as described above, the table top insert aperture may have table top fasteners.

Alternatively, the leg set and/or the leg extenders may not contain any fasteners. For example, the insert elements may simply be introduced into insert apertures and may remain there under the force or gravity or friction.

Further, although the table top 110 in the exemplary table in FIGS. 1-2 includes a bottom support element 114, a top support element 116, a support connector 115 and cross-supports 118, the table top 110 may include fewer or more elements. For example, the table top 110 may include only a top support element.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of an alternative embodiment of the exemplary adjustable table 100 of FIGS. 1-2 with the leg extenders installed. The table top 110, legs 120, leg extenders 130, leg fastener aperture 127 and leg extender fasteners aperture 137 are all shown, as are the bolts 210. The leg extenders are installed in a reverse configuration from FIGS. 1-2, in which the table leg 120 is connected to the leg extender 130 by the introduction of an insert on the table leg 120 into an insert aperture on the leg extender 130. Further, the leg extender 130 is connected to the table top 110 by the introduction of an insert on the leg extender 130 into an insert aperture on the table top 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the leg extender 130 is connected to the table top 110 using a bolt 210 through the leg extender fastener apertures 137. Further, the leg extender 130 is connected to the leg using a bolt 210 through the leg fastener aperture 127.

FIG. 4 illustrates an additional close-up view of the alternative embodiment of the exemplary adjustable table 100 as shown in FIG. 3. The table top 110, legs 120, leg extenders 130, leg fasteners aperture 127, leg extender fasteners aperture 137, and bolts 210 are shown. As in FIG. 3, the leg extenders are installed in a reverse configuration from FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the exemplary adjustable table 100 of FIG. 1-3. The table top 110, legs 120, leg extenders 130, leg fasteners aperture 127, leg extender fasteners aperture 137, and bolts 210 are all shown.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative adjustable table 600 that employs a removable apron. The apron is a structure, used for design or support, located below the table top. The table 600 includes a table top 610, a set of legs 620, a removable apron 630, and a leg support element 640. The table top 610 includes a cross-support 618 and a plurality of table top fastener apertures on the bottom of the table top. The legs 620 include leg fastener apertures 622. The removable apron 630 includes a set of apron-leg fastener apertures and a set of apron-table top fastener apertures 632.

In operation, if the user desires to position the table top at a first vertical height, then the user positions the table top fastener apertures in proximity to the leg fastener apertures 622 and then passes fasteners through both the table top fastener apertures and the leg fastener apertures 622 to fasten the table top 610 to the legs 620.

Alternatively, if the user desires to position the table top at a second, greater vertical height, the user positions the table top fastener apertures in proximity to the apron-table top fastener apertures 632 and then passes fasteners through both the table top fasteners apertures and the apron-table top fastener apertures 632 to fasten the table top 610 to the apron 630. The user then positions the apron-leg fastener apertures in proximity to the leg fastener apertures 622 and then passes fasteners through both the apron-leg fastener apertures and leg fastener apertures 622 to fasten the apron 630 to the legs 620.

FIG. 7 illustrates the adjustable height table 600 as assembled with the apron 630 installed between the table top 610 and legs 620. Also shown are the fasteners 627 installed though both the apron-leg fastener apertures and the leg fastener apertures 622. Additionally, the fasteners 637 installed through both the table top fastener apertures and the apron-table top fastener apertures 632 are also shown.

Similar to the exemplary embodiment above with regard to the leg extenders, although the exemplary table in FIGS. 6-7 employs four legs, a greater or lesser number of legs may be employed, such as three legs for example. Also, although FIGS. 6-7 show legs that curve near the base, straight legs or legs of other configurations may be employed.

Further, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6-7 employs an apron that is five inches in height and legs that are 21 inches in height and a table top that is 16 inches in diameter, the height of the apron and/or legs and/or the diameter of the table top may vary as desired. Additionally, more that one apron may be employed.

Also, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6-7 shows the apron as being positioned at the top of the legs, the apron may alternatively be located anywhere along the vertical height of the legs. For example, the apron may be alternatively located at the bottom of the legs.

Further, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6-7 shows apron-table top fastener apertures, apron-leg fastener apertures, any other desired way of securing the table top to either the apron or legs, and/or securing the apron to the legs may be used, including the use of a table top insert 112 and an apron insert aperture, an apron insert and a table top insert aperture, an apron insert aperture and a leg insert, or an apron insert and a leg insert aperture 125.

Additionally, an alternative adjustable table may employ both leg extenders as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 and an apron as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-7.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary table 800 according to an embodiment of the invention, where the adjustable height table 800 employs both leg extenders and a removable apron. FIG. 8 shows a table top 810, a removable apron 830, leg extenders 850, a set of table legs 820, a leg support element 840, leg fasteners 827, leg extender fasteners 857, an apron insert 832, apron-table top fasteners 837 and table top insert 812. The set of table legs, or leg set 820, connects to the leg support 840. The leg set 820 connects to the leg extender 850 using leg fasteners 827. The leg extender 850 connects to the apron 830 using leg extender fasteners 857. The apron 830 connects to the table top 810 by introducing table top insert 812 into the apron-table top fastener apertures and using fasteners 837. The use of both the apron 830 and leg extenders 850 increases the height of the table top 810 relative to the supporting surface on which the adjustable height table is positioned to a height greater than the height obtained by employing the apron 830 or the leg extender 850 alone.

FIG. 9 is a close up and exploded view of the adjustable height table 800 of FIG. 8. The apron 830, apron insert 832, leg extender insert aperture 855, leg extender fasteners 857, leg extender 850, leg extender insert 852, leg insert aperture 825, leg fasteners 827 and a leg 820 are all shown. The apron 830 connects to the leg extender 850 by introducing the apron insert 832 into the leg extender insert aperture 855 and using the leg extender fasteners 857. The leg extender 850 connects to the leg 820 by introducing the leg extender insert 852 into the leg insert aperture 825 and using the leg fasteners 827.

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary fasteners for the exemplary embodiment wherein the leg set is straight and the leg extenders are located at the bottom of the legs. Any other desired fastener for securing the table top to the apron or legs may be used.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable height table including:

a table top, wherein said table top is adapted to connect to one of a leg set and a leg extender;

a leg extender set, wherein said leg extender set is adapted to connect to said table top and said leg set; and

a leg set, wherein said leg set is adapted to connect to one of said table top and said leg extender,

wherein said table top is adapted to be positioned at a first vertical height relative to a supporting surface by connecting said table top directly to said leg set,

wherein said table top is adapted to be positioned at a second vertical height relative to said supporting surface by connecting said table to said leg extender set and connecting said leg extender to said leg set.

2. The adjustable height table of claim 1, wherein said table top is adapted to directly connect to one of a leg set and a leg extender.

3. The adjustable height table of claim 1, wherein said leg extender is adapted to directly connect to said table top and said leg set.

4. The adjustable height table of claim 1, wherein said leg set is adapted to directly connect to one of said table top and said leg extender.

5. The adjustable height table of claim 1, wherein said leg extender is adapted to be positioned between said table top and said leg set.

6. The adjustable height table of claim 1, wherein said leg extender is adapted to be positioned between said leg set and said supporting surface.

7. The adjustable height table of claim 1 further including a second leg extender set, wherein said second leg extender set is adapted to be positioned between either said table top and said leg extender set or said leg extender set and said leg set.

8. The adjustable height table of claim 1 further including a second leg extender set, wherein only one of said leg extender set and said second leg extender set is positioned between said table top and said legs set at any one time.

9. The adjustable height table of claim 1 further including an apron, wherein said apron is adapted to connect between either said table top and said leg extender set or between said leg extender set and said leg set.

10. The adjustable height table of claim 1, wherein said leg extender includes a leg extender fastener aperture.

11. The adjustable height table of claim 1, wherein said leg set includes a leg fastener aperture.

12. The adjustable height table of claim 1, wherein said table top includes an insert element, wherein said leg extender includes an insert aperture, and wherein said table top insert element is adapted to be introduced into said leg extender insert aperture.

13. An adjustable height table including:

a table top, wherein said table top is adapted to connect to one of a leg set and an apron;

an apron, wherein said apron is adapted to connect to said table top and said leg set; and

a leg set, wherein said leg set is adapted to connect to one of said table top and said apron,

wherein said table top is adapted to be positioned at a first vertical height relative to a supporting surface by connecting said table top directly to said leg set,

wherein said table top is adapted to be positioned at a second vertical height relative to said supporting surface by connecting said table to said apron and connecting said apron to said leg set.

14. The adjustable height table of claim 12, wherein said table top is adapted to directly connect to one of a leg set and an apron.

15. The adjustable height table of claim 12, wherein said apron is adapted to directly connect to said table top and said leg set.

16. The adjustable height table of claim 12, wherein said leg set is adapted to directly connect to one of said table top and said apron.

17. The adjustable height table of claim 12, wherein said table top includes a fastening aperture.

18. The adjustable height table of claim 12, wherein said apron includes a fastening aperture.

19. The adjustable height table of claim 12, wherein said leg set includes a fastening aperture.

20. An adjustable height table including:

a table top, wherein said table top is adapted to connect to one of a leg set and a height extender;

a height extender, wherein said height extender is adapted to connect to said table top and said leg set; and

a leg set, wherein said leg set is adapted to connect to one of said table top and said height extender,

wherein said table top is adapted to be positioned at a first vertical height relative to a supporting surface by connecting said table top directly to said leg set,

wherein said table top is adapted to be positioned at a second vertical height relative to said supporting surface by connecting said table to said height extender and connecting said height extender to said leg set.