ADJUSTABLE PAIL STAND

Abstract

A container holding table comprising a table top having a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface with an opening and at least one height adjustable table leg. The opening is located in the center of the plastic table top and comprises a round through hole sufficiently sized to receive a container. The height adjustable table leg comprises a stainless steel caster. The height adjustable table leg further comprises an inner and an outer tube. The inner and outer tube provide telescoping means allowing adjustment of up to four inches via at least one set of apertures and a push button securing device. The height adjustable table leg is capable of being repeatedly unfolded from a closed position to an open position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/250,959, filed Oct. 13, 2009 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of portable tables and more specifically relates to a portable table for placing a cleaning pail at a comfortable height.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cleaning is a time consuming and muscle straining chore that may have to be repeated on a routine basis. This effects private people in their homes and professional cleaning services by reducing free time. At present it is a back braking repetition of bending to rinse out a cloth or sponge in a pail standing on the floor which can lead to chronic back pain and general discomfort. To alleviate this, many people may place the pail on the object being cleaned, on a countertop or table which requires continuous moving to and fro to rinse the sponge or towel out. Further, this may leave the bucket in an unstable position and/or may cause damage to table tops.

For outside cleaning, for example windows, a pail standing on the ground requires continuous bending which is time consuming and painful to some users. At present there is no user-friendly alternative to this exhausting and inefficient task and many people suffer from task-related injuries and ailments. This is an ongoing problem which requires a solution that at present does not exist.

Therefore a need exists for a means to place a pail in such a position that the back braking repetition of bending to rinse out a cloth or sponge in a pail standing on the floor is alleviated. A need exists for a means to place a container in such a position that it is easily accessible and stable.

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,860,367, 5,273,063, 4,972,781, 5,511,753, 7,040,977, and 2006/0180053. This prior art is representative of portable tables. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Ideally, a portable table for placing a cleaning pail at a comfortable height should be easy to use, ease the back breaking process of continuously bending to rinse out cloths, operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable portable table for placing a cleaning pail at a comfortable height to decrease the strain on the individual and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known portable table art, the present invention provides a novel adjustable pail stand system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a portable table for placing a cleaning pail at a comfortable height.

A container holding table is disclosed herein comprising a table top having a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface with an opening and at least one height adjustable table leg. The height adjustable table leg is connected to the bottom planar surface of the table top. The opening is located in the center of the plastic table top and comprises a round through hole sufficiently sized to receive a container.

The container holding table comprises at least one height adjustable metal table leg. The height adjustable table leg comprises a stainless steel caster. The height adjustable table leg further comprises an inner and an outer tube which are slidably arranged. The inner and outer tube provide telescoping means allowing adjustment of up to four inches via at least one set of apertures and a push button securing device. The height adjustable table leg is capable of being repeatedly unfolded from an open position to a closed position for convenience while storing.

A kit is also described herein including at least one pail, at least one table top having a central opening, at least one adjustable table leg, and a user instruction manual.

Further, a method of using a container holding table is disclosed herein comprising the steps of unfolding height adjustable table legs, adjusting the height adjustable table legs to a desired length, placing a container holding table in a work area, filling a pail with at least one fluid, and placing the pail into a center opening of the container holding table. Optionally removing the pail from the container holding table, collapsing the adjustable table legs, and storing the container holding table.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an adjustable pail stand system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, adjustable pail stand system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a container holding table in use according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the container holding table according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the container holding table according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the container holding table according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the container holding table according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable table device and more particularly to a portable table for placing a cleaning pail at a comfortable height as used to ease cleaning tasks. Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating container holding table 110 in an in-use condition 190 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Adjustable pail stand system 100 of the present invention preferably comprises table top 120 having at least one top planar surface 130 and bottom planar surface 140, at least one opening 150, and at least one height adjustable table leg 160. Height adjustable table leg 160 is connected to bottom planar surface 140 of table top 120 and is adjustable to various heights according to user(s) 180 preferences. Opening 150 is located in center portion of table top 120 and is sufficiently sized to receive container 170.

User 180 may place container holding table 110 in a work area, fill container 170 with at least one fluid, and place container 170 into center opening 150 of container holding table 110 to create in-use-condition 190. This way user 180 may wash a car without having to continuously bend to rinse out cloths. A method of use 650 in described in greater detail sub sequentially herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, perspective views illustrating the container holding table 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

As described previously, container holding table 110 preferably comprises table top 120 having top planar surface 130 and bottom planar surface 140, opening 150, and height adjustable table leg 160. Table top 120 may preferably be of rectangular shape. It should be appreciated that table top 120 may comprise various shapes, lengths, widths, and heights and will fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as described herein, and that any references to sizes, heights, and weights are exemplary, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way.

Table top 120 within a preferred embodiment may be made of plastic. However, table top 120 may comprise any other durable and weatherproof material such as composites, wooden, ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Opening 150 comprises a round through hole (aperture 330) and is located substantially in the center of planar table top 120 and is sufficiently sized to receive container 170. Opening 150 is located in the center of table top 120 so as to provide a suitable place for container 170. Container 170 is therefore in the optimal position to prevent any untoward movement. Furthermore, container 170 is effectively secure when container holding table 110 is moved from one workplace to the next or when due to unforeseen circumstances container holding table 110 is jarred or jolted. Opening 150 preferably comprises a diameter of about 12 inches. However, opening 150 may comprise any suitable size and diameter to accommodate various corresponding sizes of a variety of container(s) 170. Container 170 may comprise a pail such as a work pail, as shown.

Container holding table 110 preferably comprises at least one height adjustable table leg 160. Height adjustable table leg 160 preferably comprises ferrous material such as metal. However, height adjustable table leg 160 may comprise any other durable material such as plastic or non-ferrous materials or metal alloys. Height adjustable table leg 160 is attached to bottom planar surface 140 of table top 120. Height adjustable table leg 160 may be attached to bottom planar surface 140 of table top 120 by the use of screws or other similar products or may be molded to bottom planar surface 140. In the particular embodiment shown height adjustable table leg 160 may be folded in relation to another of height adjustable table leg 160 about a common axis (center of rotation) for ease of storage wherein the relationship between bottom planar surface 140 and height adjustable table leg 160 is substantially perpendicular.

Height adjustable table leg 160 comprises inner tube 300 and outer tube 310. Inner tube 300 and outer tube 310 may each preferably comprise a hollow cylinder or rectangular tube. Inner tube 300 is preferably placed into outer tube 310 providing a snug fit and therefore may be adjusted telescopically to a desired stop. To achieve a height adjustment of height adjustable table leg 160, a plurality of preferably four push button securing devices 320 each located about an inch apart are situated on inner tube 300 and an aperture 330 is located at the lower end of outer tube 310. Aperture 330 allows height adjustment of up to four inches along height adjustable table leg 160 by placing aperture 330 over required push button securing device 320 and aligning push button securing device 320 to protrude through aperture 330. This action creates a suitable secure stopping means.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, perspective views illustrating the container holding table 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-3.

Height adjustable table leg 160 is capable of being repeatedly unfolded from a closed position to an open position. Container holding table 110 preferably comprises first and second set of height adjustable table legs 160, each set located at opposite sides of bottom planar surface 140 of container holding table 110. The opposing height adjustable table legs 160 intersect in such a manner that the opposing height adjustable table legs 160 cross each other at a point about two thirds down the length of each height adjustable table leg 160. The opposing height adjustable table legs 160 are connected by a fastener in such a way that they are rotatable and thus accommodate collapsing of container holding table 110.

Crossbar 340 which is optional, preferably runs lengthwise in relation to container holding table 110 and may be attached to height adjustable table legs 160 at or near the point of intersection. This option provides additional stability from sideways sway. First set of height adjustable table leg(s) 160 may be hinged to bar 350 which is attached to bottom planar surface 140 of container holding table 110. First set of height adjustable table legs 160 thus may be unhinged from bar 350 and folded together with second set of height adjustable table legs 160, thereby facilitating the collapse of container holding table 110 as shown in FIG. 5. It should be noted that container 170 should be removed from opening 150 before collapsing commences to prevent damage to the various components.

Wheel(s) 360 may be attached to the base of height adjustable table leg(s) 160. Wheel 360 within this particular embodiment preferably comprises a caster. Caster preferably comprises stainless steel. However, caster may comprise any suitably durable kind of material, such as hard rubber, plastic or other.

Container holding table 110 may be sold as kit 440 comprising the following parts: at least one container 170, at least one table top 120 having a central opening 150, at least one height adjustable table leg 160, and at least one set of user instructions. Container holding table 110 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, different shapes or parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 6, showing flowchart 600 illustrating a method of use 650 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-5.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use 650 is disclosed herein comprising the following steps: step one 601 unfolding height adjustable table legs 160; step two 602 adjusting height adjustable table legs 160 to a desired length; step three 603 placing container holding table 110 in a work area; step four 604 filling a pail (hereby embodied by container 170) with at least one fluid; step five 605 placing pail into a center opening 150 of container holding table 110; step six 606 removing pail from container holding table 110; step seven 607 collapsing height adjustable table legs 160; and step eight 608 storing container holding table 110.

It should be noted that steps 606-608 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 650 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 6 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 650.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A container holding table comprising:

a table top having a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface;

an opening; and

at least one height adjustable table leg;

wherein said opening is a throughhole located in a center of said planar table top and is sufficiently sized to receive said container;

wherein said at least one height adjustable table leg is connected to said bottom planar surface of said table top; and

wherein said height adjustable table leg is adjustable to various heights according to user(s) preferences.

2. The container holding table of claim 1 wherein said table top comprises plastic.

3. The container holding table of claim 1 wherein said opening comprises a round through hole to accommodate a pail.

4. The container holding table of claim 1 wherein said at least one height adjustable table leg comprises metal.

5. The container holding table of claim 1 wherein said at least one height adjustable table leg comprises an inner and an outer tube, said inner and said outer tube providing telescoping means allowing adjustment via at least one set of apertures.

6. The container holding table of claim 5 wherein said telescoping means permits height adjustment of up to about 4 inches.

7. The container holding table of claim 6 wherein said at least one height adjustable table leg comprises a push button securing device.

8. The container holding table of claim 1 wherein said at least one height adjustable table leg comprises a wheel.

9. The container holding table of claim 8 wherein said wheel comprises a caster.

10. The container holding table of claim 9 wherein said caster comprises stainless steel.

11. The container holding table of claim 1 wherein said at least one height adjustable table leg is capable of being repeatedly unfolded from a closed position to an open position.

12. A container holding table comprising:

a plastic table top having a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface;

an opening located in a center of said plastic table top comprising a round through hole sufficiently sized about 12 inches so as to receive said container; and

at least one height adjustable metal table leg comprising a stainless steel caster and comprising an inner and an outer tube, said inner and outer tube providing telescoping means allowing adjustment of up to four inches via at least one set of apertures and a push button securing device;

wherein said at least one height adjustable table leg is capable of being repeatedly unfolded from a closed position to an open position;

wherein said at least one height adjustable table leg is connected to said bottom planar surface of said table top.

13. The pail holding table of claim 12 wherein said container holding table further comprises a kit including said at least one pail, said at least one table top having a central opening, said at least one adjustable table leg, and a user instruction manual.

14. A method of use comprising the steps of:

unfolding height adjustable table legs;

adjusting said height adjustable table legs to a desired length;

placing a work pail holding table in a work area;

filling a work pail with at least one fluid; and

placing said work pail into a center opening of said container holding table.

15. The method of use of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

removing said work pail from said container holding table;

collapsing said adjustable table legs; and

storing said container holding table.