Tiltable space saving table

Abstract

A table that includes a tabletop, having a predetermined configuration, and a mechanism disposed on a bottom surface of the tabletop for tilting it about 90° from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. There is at least one support member engageable with the tilting mechanism that holds the tabletop a predetermined height above ground level. There are also a pre-selected number of hanger members disposed on the bottom surface of the tabletop for holding a pre-selected number of folding chairs thereon.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is closely related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/867,891 filed on Nov. 30, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to tables that can tilt or fold up when not in use and, more particularly, the invention relates to a table that when not in use can tilt and hold a number of folding chairs thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Poker has grown to become a popular pastime in recent years. Some poker tournaments are even televised now adding to its popularity. Many friends gather on a designated night called ‘poker night’ to play. Even bars and restaurants have begun implementing organized tournaments, as well.

However, similar to kitchen or dining room tables, most poker tables are cumbersome, bulky and immobile. They take up much of the available space in a living room, family room or garage. Existing portable tables typically offer folding legs having flimsy designs that make them prone to damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a table including a tabletop having a predetermined configuration. There is a means disposed on a bottom surface of the tabletop for tilting it about 90° from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. There is a means engageable with the tilting means for supporting the tabletop a predetermined height above ground level. Further included is a means disposed on the bottom surface of the tabletop for hanging a predetermined number of folding chairs thereon.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a table having a tabletop that tilts from a horizontal position to a vertical position when not in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a table having a tabletop that when tilted has a means on the bottom surface thereof for hanging a number of folding chairs thereon to save space.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a table with wheeled support members for easy movement across the floor.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a table that is easily moved and stored when not in use thus helping to prevent damage thereto.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be understood that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a poker table in a tilted position showing a number of drink holders according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the poker table illustrated in FIG. 1 showing two inverted T-shaped wheeled support means, means for tilting the poker table and chair cradle hanging means in their collapsed position;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the poker table illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the chair cradles in their extended position with folding chairs hanging thereon;

FIG. 4 is a side view of one embodiment of a chair cradle according to the present invention wherein a top portion of the cradle is substantially flat;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of a chair cradle according to the present invention wherein the top portion of the cradle is scalloped;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative support means showing an X-shaped base wheeled leg member; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative support means showing a circular base leg member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to drawing FIGS. 1-5. Illustrated therein is a table, generally designated 10, including a tabletop 12 having a predetermined configuration. In a presently preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the predetermined configuration of tabletop 12 is oval. However, tabletop 12 could be rectangular, circular, elliptical, octagonal, hexagonal, etc.

There is a means, generally designated 20, disposed on a bottom surface 14 of tabletop 12 for tilting it about 90° from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position when not in use.

There is also a means, generally designated 30, engageable with tilting means 20 for supporting tabletop 12 a predetermined height above ground level. In a presently preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, supporting means 30 includes two inverted T-shaped leg members 16. Leg members 16 may include wheels 18 thereon for easier movement of table 10 from one location to another.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, supporting means 30 may include at least one X-shaped base leg member 38. The at least one leg member 38 may have wheels 18 thereon. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, supporting means 30 may include at least one circular base leg member 42.

Further included is a means, generally designated 40, disposed on bottom surface 14 of tabletop 12 for hanging a predetermined number of folding chairs 22 thereon. Hanging means 40 preferably includes at least two spaced apart brackets hereinafter termed chair cradles 24.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 4, top surface 26 of cradles 24, which engages folding chairs 22 when cradles 24 are extended, is substantially flat.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, top surface 28 of cradles 24, which engages folding chairs 22 when cradles 24 are extended, is scalloped.

Table 10 may further include a means 50, shown in FIG. 2, disposed on bottom surface 14 of tabletop 12 for restraining cradles 24 against bottom surface 14 of tabletop 14 when it is in the horizontal position. Restraining means 50 preferably includes magnetic members 32.

Table 10 may also include handle means 44 disposed on bottom surface 14 of tabletop 12 for gripping table 10 to move it from one location to another.

Depending on the length thereof, table 10 may still further include an anti-sag table stiffening means 46 disposed on bottom surface 14 of tabletop 12 for preventing it from bowing.

Table 10 may be in the form of a lunch table (not shown), a dining room table (not shown), a conference table (not shown) and a poker table 34. Tabletop 12 of poker table 34 may further include a pre-selected number of drink holders 36.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A table comprising:

(a) a tabletop having a predetermined configuration;

(b) a means disposed on a bottom surface of said tabletop for tilting said tabletop about 90° from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position;

(c) a means engageable with said tilting means for supporting said tabletop a predetermined height above ground level; and

(d) a means disposed on said bottom surface of said tabletop for hanging a predetermined number of folding chairs thereon.

2. A table, according to claim 1, wherein said table is one of a lunch table, a dining room table, a conference table and a poker table.

3. A table, according to claim 2, wherein said table is a poker table.

4. A table, according to claim 3, wherein said tabletop of said poker table further includes a pre-selected number of drink holders.

5. A table, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined configuration of said tabletop is oval.

6. A table, according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes two inverted T-shaped leg members.

7. A table, according to claim 6, wherein said leg members include wheels thereon for easier movement of said table from one location to another.

8. A table, according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes at least one X-shaped base leg member.

9. A table, according to claim 8, wherein said at least one leg member includes wheels thereon for easier movement of said table from one location to another.

10. A table, according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes at least one circular base leg member.

11. A table, according to claim 1, wherein said hanging means includes at least two spaced apart chair cradles.

12. A table, according to claim 11, wherein top surface of said chair cradles which engages such folding chairs when said cradles are extended is substantially flat.

13. A table, according to claim 11, wherein top surface of said chair cradles which engages such folding chairs when said cradles are extended is scalloped.

14. A table, according to claim 11, wherein said table further includes a means disposed on said bottom surface of said tabletop for restraining said cradles against said bottom surface of said tabletop when it is in said horizontal position.

15. A table, according to claim 14, wherein said restraining means includes a magnetic member.

16. A table, according to claim 1, wherein said table further includes handle means disposed on said bottom surface of said tabletop for gripping said table to move it from one location to another.

17. A table, according to claim 1, wherein said table further includes anti-sag table stiffening means disposed on said bottom surface of said tabletop for preventing it from bowing.