Portable Utility Table

Abstract

The invention is a portable utility table, comprising, among other features, a table-top surface with a first integrally formed recessed portion forming a first sink, and a second integrally formed recessed portion forming a second sink, each sink also having an integrally formed drain aperture for exiting material; and collapsible legs capable of nesting in the bottom of the table.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/588,475, filed on Jan. 19, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An organized, functional, and portable work surface is utilized to increase the ease and efficiency with which nearly any task is completed. While a simple table top is sufficient for many tasks, specialized work surfaces are often employed to enhance organization and efficiency when completing certain specialized or specific tasks. Such specialized work surfaces provide optimal control over a work environment and enhance the enjoyment and ease with which tasks are completed.

In numerous applications, a portable, lightweight, multi-functional, and integral working surface is highly desirable. Such contexts may include, but are not limited to: outdoor camping, fishing, and cooking; work around the house; food preparation and catering; and material handling and processing. In these contexts, features such as sinks, waste-baskets or storage receptacles, and cutting and measuring surfaces are often needed. Although prior art includes a number of working surfaces with various functional features, including some of those listed above, there is a dearth of portable, lightweight, multi-functional, and generally integral working surfaces which combine all of the features into one unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above, a new and innovative portable utility table is provided. The problem of achieving a portable, lightweight, multi-functional, and integral working surface which combines a number of needed features above into one unit is solved. The table comprises, among other features, a table-top surface with a first integrally formed recessed portion forming a first sink, and a second integrally formed recessed portion forming a second sink, each sink also having an integrally formed drain aperture for exiting material; and collapsible legs capable of nesting in the bottom of the table.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To further clarify the above and other aspects of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The drawings are not drawn to scale. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric side view of one embodiment of the utility table.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric side perspective view of one embodiment of the utility table.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the table with a bag aperture.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of one embodiment of the table.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the table.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of one embodiment of the table.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of one embodiment of the table, with legs nested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

The present invention in its various embodiments, some of which are depicted in the figures herein, is a utility table.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an isometric view of a utility table 100 is shown. In preferred embodiments, the table 100 has a table top 102 is made of injection molded or formed plastic, although any number of sturdy, lightweight materials is suitable. The table 100 has a number of recessed portions. Although the number of recessed portions varies depending on the embodiment, in the illustrated embodiment, table top 102 includes a first recessed portion 103 forming a first sink and a second recessed portion 104 forming a second sink. In preferred embodiments, these portions are integrally formed within the table top, but other embodiments of the invention may also include recessed portions forming sinks as detachable or separately formed components. Also, in certain embodiments, these recessed portions may be of varying depth. For example, the first recessed portion may be deeper than the second recessed portion, in other embodiments vice versa. (See FIGS. 6 and 7).

In one embodiment, the first recessed portion 103 further includes a first drain aperture 105 located at the base of the first recessed portion 103, the first drain aperture 105 formed for exiting material from the first recessed portion 103. In various embodiments this first drain aperture 105 is configured to fit to a first detachable drain tube 106 on the bottom of the table top 102. In various embodiments, this first detachable drain tube 106 is made of flexible, semi-rigid, and positionable plastic (although various material types and tube designs are suitable and do not depart from the purpose and scope of the invention), and capable of attaching to the drain aperture of the first sink, and extending out of the bottom of the table-top 102.

Likewise, in various embodiments, the second recessed portion 104 may also include a second drain aperture 107, for exiting material from the second recessed portion 104. In various embodiments, this second drain aperture 107 is configured to fit to a second detachable drain tube 108 on the bottom of the table top 102. Again, in various embodiments, this second detachable drain tube 106 is made of flexible, semi-rigid, and positionable plastic (although various material types and tube designs are suitable and do not depart from the purpose and scope of the invention), and capable of attaching to the drain aperture of the second sink, and extending out of the bottom of the table-top 102.

In FIG. 1, and in various embodiments, first 103 and/or second 104 recessed portions may include one or more removable sink covers 109 and 110. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, first recessed portion 103 has a removable cover 109. Second recessed portion 104 also has a removable cover 110. Cover 109 is configured to rest on a lip 111 adjacent to first recessed portion 103. Cover 110 is configured to rest on a lip 112 adjacent to second recessed portion 104. So configured, one or more removable sink covers may be capable of flush placement on the table-top surface. (See FIG. 2).

In various embodiments, the first recessed portion 103 also has a fastener 113, configured to removeably fasten cover 109 to the table top 102. In various embodiments, the second recessed portion 104 also has a fastener 115 configured to removably fasten cover 110 to the table top 102. Referring now to FIG. 2, in various embodiments, the table 100 is configured such that when one or more covers are removably fastened to the table top, the cover and table top form a generally planar surface or achieve flush placement on the table-top surface.

Referring back to FIG. 1, although any number or type of fasteners may be used, the illustrated embodiments herein depict dual fasteners 113 and 115 for each recessed portion, each fastener comprised of a hinged tab, attached within a small recess of the table top 102. The hinged tabs of the fasteners 113 and 115 are configured to rotate over corresponding recessed tab portions 114 and 116 of the covers 114 and 116 and hold them in place through a pressure fit. However, any combination and/or configuration of recessed portions, covers, and fasteners may be used without departing from the purpose and scope of the invention.

Some embodiments of the invention include a bag aperture 117 for placement of a bag to receive and/or store materials or waste. A bag may be held within the bag aperture 117 by one or more arms 118 attached adjacent to the bag aperture 117, the arms being operable to releasably hold an open bag portion within the bag aperture 117. In the illustrated embodiment, proximate and distal ends of each of the hinged arms 118 are located within the table 100 and allow the arms 118 to swivel or be repositioned between down and up positions, among others. Referring briefly to FIG. 3, when the upper opening of a bag is wrapped around one or more arms 118 in an up position, and the one or more arms 118 are then repositioned in a down position against bag aperture recesses 301 of the bag aperture 117, the one or more arms 118 then hold the bag in place through pressure and/or friction. So configured, the one or more arms 118 are able to releasably hold an open bag portion within the bag aperture.

Referring back to FIG. 1, various embodiments of the invention have an integrally formed measure 118b along an edge of the table top for measuring lengths of material located on the working surface. In various embodiments, a hose clamp (not shown) may be attached to the table top 102 adjacent to either the first or second recessed portions. Such a hose clamp is capable of holding a garden or other hose such that water from the hose may be directed to either the first or second recessed portions. FIG. 4 shows a top view of many of the features listed above in one embodiment of the invention.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in addition to various features listed above, utility table 100 may also include support members 119 and 120 that attach to and provide support to the table top member 102. In one embodiment of the invention support members 119 and 120 are positioned at an angle slightly greater than ninety degrees, with respect to the table top 102, thus providing a utility table stance with enhanced stability. Moreover, in another embodiment of the invention support members 119 and 120 are collapsible and retract into the bottom side of table top 102 and, in one embodiment of the invention, nest within the underside of the table top 102. FIG. 5 shows support member 119 nested and support member 120 in an intermediate position in relation to being nested. Various embodiments of the invention also include a clip 401 to retain the support members in a nested position. In related fashion, FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the invention with the support members extended, and FIG. 7 shows the same embodiment of the invention with the support members nested. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, when the support members are nested, they are enclosed by the sides of the table top 102 and do not extend outside of the bottom of the table top 102 further than the recessed sink portions.

Not only do support members 119 and 120 collapse to provide transportability of the utility table, support members 119 and 120 also include secondary supports 121 and 122 that further enhance the stability of table 100. In one embodiment of the invention, secondary support members 121 and 122 are beveled outward in a direction away from each other. Utility table 100 may, in one embodiment of the invention, also include other support members, such as, for example, support members 123, 124, 125, and 126 (not shown), to enhance the stability and strength of utility table 100.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in operation, utility table 100 is set into standing position as support members 119 and 120 are moved from a collapsed position, nested in the underside of utility table 100. Material may be poured into recessed portions 103 and 104 for use in a variety of applications. As merely one among many examples, water may be poured into recessed portions 103 and 104 in order to clean and prepare fish.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a utility table for use in a variety of applications. Features of the table enhance ease and efficiency of use and provide a portable, lightweight, multi-functional, and generally integral table.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A portable table, comprising:

a table-top surface with a first integrally formed recessed portion forming a first sink, and a second integrally formed recessed portion forming a second sink, each sink also having an integrally formed drain aperture for exiting material; and

collapsible legs capable of nesting in the bottom of the table.

2. The portable table of claim 1, further comprising a first drain tube capable of attaching to the drain aperture of the first sink and extending out of the bottom of the table-top surface and, and a second drain tube capable of attaching to the drain aperture of the second sink and extending out of the bottom of the table-top surface.

3. The portable table of claim 1, the table-top surface further having an integrally formed measure along an edge of the table for measuring lengths of material located on the table-top surface.

4. The portable table of claim 1, the table-top surface further having a bag aperture for placement of a bag.

5. The portable table of claim 4, the table-top surface further having one or more arms attached adjacent to the bag aperture and operable to releasably hold an open bag portion within the bag aperture.

6. The portable table of claim 5, further comprising one or more removable sink covers.

7. The portable table of claim 7, wherein the one or more removable sink covers is capable of flush placement on the table-top surface.

8. The portable table of claim 7, wherein the one or more removable sink covers is capable of being removeably attached to the table-top surface.

9. A portable table, comprising

a table-top surface with a first integrally formed recessed portion forming a first sink, and a second integrally formed recessed portion forming a second sink, each sink also having an integrally formed drain aperture for exiting material;

a first drain tube capable of attaching to the drain aperture of the first sink and extending out of the bottom of the table-top surface;

a second drain tube capable of attaching to the drain aperture of the second sink and extending out of the bottom of the table-top surface; and

collapsible legs capable of nesting in the bottom of the table.

10. The portable table of claim 9, the table-top surface further having a bag aperture for placement of a bag.

11. The portable table of claim 10, the table-top surface further having one or more arms attached adjacent to the bag aperture and operable to releasably hold an open bag portion within the bag aperture.

12. The portable table of claim 11, further comprising one or more removable sink covers.

13. The portable table of claim 12, wherein the one or more removable sink covers is capable of flush placement on the table-top surface.

14. The portable table of claim 13, wherein the one or more removable sink covers is capable of being removeably attached to the table-top surface.

15. The portable table of claim 14, the table-top surface further having an integrally formed measure along an edge of the table for measuring lengths of material located on the table-top surface.

16. A portable table, comprising

a table-top surface with a first integrally formed recessed portion forming a first sink, and a second integrally formed recessed portion forming a second sink, each sink also having an integrally formed drain aperture for exiting material; the table-top surface further having a bag aperture for placement of a bag; the table-top surface further having one or more arms attached adjacent to the bag aperture and operable to releasably hold an open bag portion within the bag aperture; the table-top surface further having an integrally formed measure along an edge of the table for measuring lengths of material located on the table-top surface;

a first drain tube capable of attaching to the drain aperture of the first sink and extending out of the bottom of the table-top surface and, and a second drain tube capable of attaching to the drain aperture of the second sink and extending out of the bottom of the table-top surface;

one or more removable sink covers capable of being removeably attached to the table-top surface and of flush placement on the table-top surface; and

collapsible legs capable of nesting in the bottom of the table, said legs comprised of a first support member pivotally attached at a first end of the table, and a second support member pivotally attached at a second end of the table