TABLE COVER SYSTEM

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a table system that includes a table having a table top with an upper surface, a top sheet with a magnetically attractive upper surface adhered to the upper surface of the table, and a magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface that is magnetically secured to the top sheet. The surface covering has an advertisement on the upper surface thereof.

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/576,208, filed on Oct. 8, 2009 the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a table system and more particularly to a table system having a metal table top sheet and a plurality of interchangeable magnetic skins.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table system. The table system includes a table top having a surface and an opening in the surface that has a diameter of at least about three inches.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surface covering for a table top. The surface covering has a planar portion covering substantially all of the table top. The planer portion preferably has a hole in it that has a diameter of at least about three inches.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table system. The table system includes a table top having an upper surface, a surface covering which covers substantially the upper surface of the table top. Preferably, the table top and the surface covering have concentric openings with substantially similar diameters.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table top system that includes a top sheet having a lower surface and a magnetically attractive upper surface, and a magnetic surface covering that has an upper surface and a lower surface and that is sized to fit on the top sheet. The surface covering has an advertisement on the upper surface thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table system that includes a table having a table top with an upper surface, a top sheet with a magnetically attractive upper surface adhered to the upper surface of the table, and a magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface that is magnetically secured to the top sheet. The surface covering has an advertisement on the upper surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a second magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface that is sized to fit on the top sheet. The second surface covering has a second advertisement on the upper surface thereof. The first advertisement is different than the second advertisement.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method that includes the steps of adhering a top sheet having a magnetically attractive upper surface to the upper surface of a table top, and placing a first magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface over the top sheet such that the first magnetic surface covering is magnetically secured to the top sheet. The first magnetic surface covering has an advertisement on the upper surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the top sheet is sized to cover substantially all of the table top and the first magnetic surface covering is sized to cover substantially all of the top sheet.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method that includes the steps of removably adhering a first top sheet having a first advertisement on the upper surface to the upper surface of a table top, removing the first top sheet from the table top, and removably adhering a second top sheet to the upper surface of the table top. The second top sheet has a second advertisement on the upper surface thereof, that is different than the first advertisement. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a temporary adhesive layer having upper and lower surfaces, placing the temporary adhesive layer on the table top and placing the first top sheet on the upper surface of the temporary adhesive layer.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description of the various embodiments and specific examples, while indicating preferred and other embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a table system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the table system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the table system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a table system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the table system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the table system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the table system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the table system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the table system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the table system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a table system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the table system of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bottom of the top sheet showing the channels in the adhesive.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “side” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1-11, the present invention is preferably directed to a table system 10 having a table top 12 having an outer edge, an upper surface 14 (best seen in FIGS. 1 and 8), a plurality of legs 16, and at least one table top opening 20 (as used herein, the numerical identifier “20” refers to a plurality of table top openings, i.e., at least one). Preferably, the upper surface 14 includes a removable surface covering 18. The table system 10 preferably includes at least one bucket 24 (as used herein, the numerical identifier “24” may refer to one bucket or more than one bucket) for holding a plurality of beer bottles (as used herein “bottles” or “beer products” may refer to “cans” of beer and/or any other commercial item).

In a preferred embodiment, and as best seen in FIG. 11, the table top 12 includes a first portion 12c and a second portion 12d which are separable from each other. Referring now to FIG. 10, the first portion 12c preferably includes the table top opening 20. Removal of the second portion 12d exposes the table top opening 20. In other embodiments, first portion 12c and second portion 12d are not separable from each other. In yet other embodiments, table top 12 may not include second portion 12d. As such, table top 12 may be comprised of one piece.

In a preferred embodiment, table top 12 is preferably circular and is comprised of in whole or part of metal. Preferably, both first portion 12c and second portion 12d are comprised of metal. Additionally, second portion 12d is preferably of sufficient diameter to not fall through table top opening 20. In this regard, second portion 12d may be of slightly greater diameter than table top opening 20. In other embodiments, the second portion 12d may be of any other material. In yet other embodiments, any other means of preventing second portion 12d from falling through table top opening 20 may be used. In yet other embodiments, table top, first portion of table top, and/or second portion of table top may not be circular, and may be any other shape.

In a preferred embodiment, and as best seen in FIG. 8, the table system 10 includes a surface covering 18 which covers substantially all of the upper surface 14 of the table top 12. Preferably, the surface covering 18 includes a first portion 18c and a second portion 18d which are separable from each other. The first portion 18c preferably includes a surface covering opening 22 (as used herein, the numerical identifier “22” refers to a plurality of table top openings, i.e., at least one). Removal of the second portion 18d exposes the surface covering opening 22, as best seen in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the surface covering 18 may not include second portion 18d.

In a preferred embodiment, the table top opening 20 and the surface covering opening 22 are concentric and have substantially similar diameters. Preferably, the table top opening 20 and the surface covering opening 22 are circular. In other embodiments, the table top opening 20 and/or the surface covering opening 22 may be of any shape, i.e., oval, circular, rectangular, or the like. In yet other embodiments, the table top opening 20 and the surface covering opening 22 may not be concentric. In this regard, the table top opening 20 and the surface covering opening 22 may be of different diameters and/or one opening may partially obstruct the other. In other embodiments, table system 10 may not include table top opening 20 and/or may not include surface covering opening 22.

In a preferred embodiment, the table top opening 20 and the surface covering opening 22 each have substantially similar diameters of at least about 2 inches to 60 about inches. In a more preferred embodiment, the table top opening 20 and the surface covering opening 22 each have substantially similar diameters of at least about 3 inches to about 12 inches. In a highly preferred embodiment, the table top opening 20 and the surface opening 22 each have substantially similar diameters of at least about 3 inches to about 10 inches. In other embodiments, the diameter of each of the table top opening 20 and the surface covering opening 22 may be more than about 60 inches or less than 2 inches.

In a preferred embodiment, and as seen in FIGS. 1-11, the table top opening 20 is located in the center, or substantially in the center of, the table top 12. In other embodiments, the table top opening 20 may not be located in the center, or substantially in the center, of the table top 12. For example, the table top opening 20 may be close to an edge of the table top 12 and/or may be located on one side of the table top 12. Preferably, the location of the table top opening 20 will dictate the location of the surface covering opening. In other embodiments, the table top 12 may swivel and/or bucket 24 may be located on an edge.

In a preferred embodiment, and as seen in FIGS. 1-4 and 9, the table system 10 includes a bucket 24. Preferably, and as best seen in FIG. 4, the bucket 24 has a bottom 24a which has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the table top opening 20. In other embodiments, the diameter of the bucket 24 may not be smaller than the diameter of the table top opening 20. In yet other embodiments, the table system 10 may include more than one bucket or may not include a bucket. In other embodiments, the table system 10 may include another suitable object adapted for holding commercial items such as beer bottles.

In a preferred embodiment, and as best seen in FIG. 10, the table system 10 may include a bucket holder 30 for supporting the bucket 24. In other embodiments, the table system 10 may include any other means of holding the bucket, or the like, or may not include the holder 30. For example, the diameter of the bucket 24 (for example the diameter of a top edge of the bucket 24), may be slightly larger than the diameter of the table top opening 20. In this manner, the bucket 24 will be held in place.

In a preferred embodiment, and as seen in FIGS. 1-4 and 9, the bucket 24 of the table system 10 is large enough to hold at least three small bottles of beer and ice sufficient to keep the beer cold for a period of time. Additionally, as best seen in FIG. 9, the bucket 24 is removable. In yet other embodiments, the bucket 24 may hold any other commercial item, such as soft drinks, or the like, or may be empty.

In a preferred embodiment, and as best seen in FIG. 1, the upper surface 14 of table top 12 has an ornamental design or graphic on its surface. Preferably, the ornamental design depicts beer bottles and/or depicts other promotional items related thereto. For example, the ornamental design may be related to football, tailgating, alcohol, or the like. Preferably, the upper surface 14 and the surface covering 18 each have ornamental designs promoting and/or marketing the same or similar product and/or brand of product, i.e., beer and/or a particular brand of beer. In other embodiments, the upper surface 14 may not have an ornamental design on its surface and/or the upper surface 14 and the surface covering 18 may depict different products. In yet other embodiments, the surface covering 18 may not have an ornamental design, i.e., may be solid or the like.

In a preferred embodiment, and as seen in FIG. 1, the surface covering 18 includes a table-facing surface 18a. Preferably, the table-facing surface 18a of surface covering 18 and the upper surface 14 of table top 12 are each comprised in whole or part, of a magnetic material, such as nickel, iron, cobalt, gadolinium, their alloys, and the like. This allows for the surface covering 18 and upper surface 14 of the table to top 12 to removeably attach to one another. In other embodiments, the table-facing surface 18a of the surface covering 18 and the upper surface 14 of the table top 12 may be removably attached to each other by other means. For example, the table-facing surface 18a of the surface covering 18 may have an adhesive for removably attaching to the upper surface 14 of the table top 12. Additionally, the second portion 18d of the surface covering 18 may or may not be comprised of a magnetic material.

In a preferred embodiment, the table system 10 is of bar height or patio height. In other embodiments, the table system 10 may be of any height. For example, the table system 10 may not have legs and may be substantially on the ground.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods of the present invention include promoting beer products, or other commercial items, by depicting ornamental designs related to their marketing on the surface of a table. The methods may also include providing a removable surface covering also depicting ornamental designs related to marketing of the beer products. These surface coverings may be replaced with new ones after a period of time to market the beer products in different ways. As such, a new table does not need to be purchased. Furthermore, the methods may include providing a bucket having the very beer product marketed inside of the bucket itself. The foregoing methods allow for consumers to be constantly stimulated with the beer product marketed, causing them to purchase more. Additionally, the use of a bucket saves space on the table.

FIGS. 12-14 show another preferred embodiment of a table system 100. As shown in FIGS. 12-13, the table system 100 includes a table 102, a top sheet 104, and at least one removable surface covering 18. The table 102 includes a table top 12 having an outer edge, an upper surface 14 and a plurality of legs 16. The table 102 can be made of any suitable material, whether magnetic or not. For example, the tables in many restaurants are made of wood. The top sheet 104 is preferably made of metal or other magnetic material, such as nickel, iron, cobalt, gadolinium, their alloys, and the like and is sized to cover the upper surface 14 of the table 102. In a preferred embodiment, the top sheet 104 has a permanent graphic 104a or ornamental design thereon. The permanent graphic 104a may be a restaurant logo, advertisement or other design. In another embodiment, the graphic can be omitted. It will understood that the table top 12, top sheet 104 and surface covering 18 can be any shape.

The top sheet 104 preferably has an adhesive layer 106 on a bottom surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive 106 is strong enough to permanently secure the top sheet 104 on the table 102 so that restaurant patrons cannot pry the top sheet 104 off of the table 102. However, in a preferred embodiment, the adhesive layer 106 can be water soluble so that the top sheet 104 can be removed with a simple cleaning solution. As shown in FIG. 14, in a preferred embodiment, to aid in removal of the top sheet 104, the adhesive layer 106 includes channels 106a defined therein that extend to the outer surface of the top sheet into which the cleaning solution can be sprayed. For example, a cleaning solution with a bottle that has a long spray spout or straw can be inserted into the channels 106a. In another embodiment, the adhesive can be less aggressive so that the top sheet 104 can be removed without the need for a solution.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in a preferred embodiment, the surface covering or skin 18 includes a table-facing surface 18a. Preferably, the table-facing surface 18a of surface covering 18 is also comprised in whole or part, of a magnetic material, such as nickel, iron, cobalt, gadolinium, their alloys, and the like. This allows for the surface covering 18 and upper surface or the top sheet 104 to be removably attached or secured to one another. In other embodiments, the table-facing surface 18a of the surface covering 18 and the top sheet 104 may be removably attached or secured to one another by other means. For example, the table-facing surface 18a of the surface covering 18 may have an adhesive for removably attaching to the upper surface of the top sheet 104. In a preferred embodiment, the top or upper surface of the surface covering 18 includes an advertisement 18b or other graphic or design thereon.

In an exemplary use of the system 100 a restaurant can order top sheets 104 to be adhered to some or all of its tables. The top sheets 104 can have, for example, the restaurant's logo as the graphic 104a thereon. Then, the company can order or otherwise be provided, as desired, skins 18 that include advertisements thereon. For example, the restaurant may change skins 18 on a monthly basis and each of the skins can advertise restaurant specials, upcoming events (e.g., sporting events, holidays, etc.), advertisements for soft drinks or alcohol, etc.

The inventive system allows a restaurant with existing tables to place metallic top sheets 104 with a graphic or advertisement (e.g., their logo) on the tables. Then, the magnetic skins 18 can be changed or interchanged as desired to advertise to customers of the restaurant. From a manufacturer's standpoint, top sheets 104 can be sold to a restaurant or chain of restaurants to cover some or all of their tables. Then, skins 18 can be sold to the same restaurant or chain of restaurants to promote upcoming events, specials, etc.

In another embodiment, the top sheets 104 can be removable or interchangeable. In this embodiment, a temporary adhesive can be placed on the bottom of the top sheet 104. In use, different top sheets 104 with different advertisements or other graphics thereon can be provided for the establishment. This eliminates the need for or can supplement the use of the magnetic skins. In another embodiment, a double sided sheet of temporary adhesive can be provided to the establishment or restaurant. The bottom side is adhered to the table 102 and then the top sheet 104 is placed on the top side of the adhesive sheet. In this embodiment, the top sheet 104 does not need to be magnetic. Accordingly, the top sheet 104 can be made of rubber, metal, plastic, wood or the like.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and elements described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

Claims

1. A table top system comprising:

a) a top sheet having a lower surface and a magnetically attractive upper surface; and

b) a magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface and that is sized to fit on the top sheet, wherein the surface covering has an advertisement on the upper surface thereof.

2. The table top system of claim 1 wherein the top sheet includes and adhesive layer on the lower surface thereof.

3. The table top system of claim 2 wherein the adhesive layer has at least one channel defined therein.

4. The table top system of claim 1 wherein the top sheet includes a graphic permanently disposed on the upper surface thereof.

5. The table top system of claim 1 further comprising a second magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface and that is sized to fit on the top sheet, wherein the second surface covering has a second advertisement on the upper surface thereof, and wherein the first advertisement is different than the second advertisement.

6. A table system comprising:

a) a table having a table top with an upper surface,

b) a top sheet adhered to the upper surface of the table, wherein the top sheet has a magnetically attractive upper surface; and

c) a magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the surface covering is magnetically secured to the top sheet, wherein the surface covering has an advertisement on the upper surface thereof.

7. The table system of claim 6 wherein the top sheet is sized to cover substantially all of the table top and the surface covering is sized to cover substantially all of the top sheet.

8. The table system of claim 7 wherein the top sheet includes a graphic permanently disposed on the upper surface thereof.

9. The table system of claim 6 wherein the top sheet is adhered to the upper surface of the table by an adhesive layer that has at least one channel defined therein.

10. The table system of claim 6 further comprising a second magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the second surface covering has a second advertisement on the upper surface thereof, and wherein the first advertisement is different than the second advertisement.

11. A method comprising the steps of:

adhering a top sheet having a magnetically attractive upper surface to the upper surface of a table top, and

placing a first magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface over the top sheet such that the first magnetic surface covering is magnetically secured to the top sheet, wherein the first magnetic surface covering has an advertisement on the upper surface thereof.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the top sheet is sized to cover substantially all of the table top and the first magnetic surface covering is sized to cover substantially all of the top sheet.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the top sheet includes a graphic permanently disposed on the upper surface thereof.

14. The method of claim 6 wherein the top sheet is adhered to the upper surface of the table by an adhesive layer that has at least one channel defined therein.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of removing the first magnetic surface covering from the top sheet, and placing a second magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface over the top sheet such that the second magnetic surface covering is magnetically secured to the top sheet, wherein the second magnetic surface covering has a second advertisement on the upper surface thereof, and wherein the first advertisement is different than the second advertisement.

16. A method comprising the steps of:

removably adhering a first top sheet to the upper surface of a table top, wherein the first top sheet has a first advertisement on the upper surface thereof,

removing the first top sheet from the table top, and

removably adhering a second top sheet to the upper surface of the table top, wherein the second top sheet has a second advertisement on the upper surface thereof, and wherein the first advertisement is different than the second advertisement.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of providing a temporary adhesive layer having upper and lower surfaces, placing the temporary adhesive layer on the table top and placing the first top sheet on the upper surface of the temporary adhesive layer.