U.S. patent application number 09/764376 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-18 for portable, personal table system.
Invention is credited to Gist, Lanny.
Application Number | 20020043181 09/764376 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26873051 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020043181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gist, Lanny |
April 18, 2002 |
Portable, personal table system
Abstract
An adjustable, portable, personal table system for one person
that holds a plate and a drink container. More specifically, the
invention is directed to an adjustable, portable, personal table
system fashioned with a wire base, plate holder and cup holder
components, a central tubular stanchion, and a securing component
connected to said stanchion for engaging a ground surface.
Inventors: |
Gist, Lanny; (Richmond Hill,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bradford E. Kile
Kile Goekjian Lerner & Reed, PLLC
Suite 800
1101 Pennsylvania Av. N.W.
Washington
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
26873051 |
Appl. No.: |
09/764376 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60177224 |
Jan 21, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 13/023 20130101;
A47B 13/16 20130101; A47B 3/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/26 |
International
Class: |
A47B 085/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable, personal table system comprising: a wire base
operable to be disposed upon a support surface; a hub connected to
said wire base and positioned at the center of said wire base; a
wire plate holder operable to support a food plate in a generally
horizontal posture; a wire cup holder connected to said wire plate
holder and being operable to support a drinking cup; a stanchion
cooperatively received at one end through said hub and connected at
the other end to said wire plate holder wherein a food plate and
drink cup my be operably supported above a support surface to
facilitate casual personal dining; and means connected to a lower
portion of said stanchion for securing said wire base to a ground
surface to provide support for said personal table system.
2. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 1 wherein:
said wire base comprises a ring of wire with a plurality of
radiating wire arms operably coplanar with said ring of wire to
provide a stable support for said stanchion.
3. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 2 wherein:
said wire base includes four inwardly radiating wire arms.
4. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 2 wherein:
said hub is operably connected to the radiating wire arms and is
operable to cooperatively receive the other end of said
stanchion.
5. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 1 wherein:
said means for securing comprises an auger screw member at a lower
portion of said stanchion.
6. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 1 wherein:
said means for securing comprises a sharp end component at a lower
portion of said stanchion.
7. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 1 wherein:
said stanchion is divided into two vertical sections with a lower
portion of an upper section telescoped into an upper portion of a
lower section at a joint intermediate the length of said
stanchion.
8. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 6 wherein:
the position of said upper section is operable to be exchanged with
the position of said lower section, wherein said lower section
connected to said means for securing is telescoped into an upper
portion of said upper section to provide for use of said table
system on an indoor flooring surface.
9. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 1 wherein:
said plate holder comprises two wire rings having a common central
axis, and a plurality of radiating support arms connected between
said two wire rings and extending to a central position to
releasably connect to an upper end portion of said stanchion.
10. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 9
wherein: a first of said two wire rings has a first diameter
slightly larger than a diameter of a dining plate and second wire
ring has a diameter less than said first diameter and said two wire
rings operably form said plate holder; and said plurality of
radiating support arms connected between said two wire rings extend
at approximately an angle of forty-five degrees from said first
wire ring to said second wire ring.
11. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 9
wherein: said plate holder comprises four radiating support
arms.
12. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 10
wherein: said cup holder comprises at least one vertical wire
member extending between an upper wire ring and a lower wire ring
of said cup holder and being operable to provide support for a
drink container positioned within said cup holder.
13. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 10
wherein: said cup holder includes at least one wire member
connected between opposing edges of said lower wire ring of said
cup holder and being operable to support a bottom portion of a
drink container positioned in said cup holder.
14. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 13
wherein: said cup holder includes at least two transverse wires
members that extend between opposing portions of said lower wire
ring and being operable to support a bottom portion of a drink
container positioned in said cup holder.
15. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 14
wherein: said cup holder comprises a single wire member extending
radially from the base portion of said plate holder and bent
downwardly between said upper wire ring and said lower wire ring of
said cup holder and extending generally across the central area of
the base portion of said cup holder to operably connect to said at
least two transverse wire members to form a base of said cup
holder.
16. A portable, personal table system comprising: a wire base
operable to be disposed upon a support surface and comprising a
ring of wire a wire hub positioned at the center of said ring of
wire and a plurality of wire arms radiating from the hub to the
ring of wire and operably coplanar with said ring of wire to
provide a stable support for a stanchion; a wire plate holder
operable to support a food plate in a generally horizontal posture
and comprising two wire rings having a common central axis and a
plurality of radiating support arms connected between said two wire
rings and extending to a central position; a stanchion
cooperatively received at one end within the interior of said hub
and connected at the other end to a central portion of said wire
plate holder wherein a food plate my be operably supported above a
support surface to facilitate casual personal dining; a wire cup
holder connected to said wire plate holder and being operable to
support a drinking cup and formed from a rectangle of wire and
having the long side of said rectangle of wire curved to form a
generally cylindrical C-shaped configuration with an upper wire
ring and a lower wire ring and wherein said cup holder further
comprises an open, outer lateral portion between said upper wire
ring and said lower wire ring; and ground engaging member connected
to a lower portion of said stanchion and being operable to engage a
ground surface to provide support for said wire base and table
system.
17. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 16
wherein: said stanchion is a cylindrical rod and is divided into
two vertical sections with a lower portion of an upper section
telescoped into an upper portion of a lower section at a joint
intermediate the length of said stanchion.
18. A portable, personal table system comprising: a wire base
operable to be placed upon a support surface and comprising a ring
of wire a hub positioned at the center of said ring of wire and a
plurality of radiating wire arms operably coplanar with said ring
of wire to provide a stable support; a stanchion cooperatively
received at one end through said hub a wire plate holder operable
to support a food plate in a generally horizontal posture and
comprising two wire rings having a common central axis and a
plurality of radiating support arms connected between said two wire
rings and extending to a central position to operably connect to an
upper end portion of said stanchion; and a wire cup holder
connected to said wire plate holder and being operable to support a
drinking cup and formed from wire with a generally cylindrical
configuration with an upper wire ring and a lower wire ring and
wherein said cup holder further comprises an open, outer lateral
portion, between said upper wire ring and said lower wire ring, and
at least one wire member connected between opposing edges of said
lower wire ring and being operable to support a bottom portion of a
drink container positioned in said cup holder.
19. A portable, personal table system comprising: a wire base
operable to be disposed upon a support surface; a wire plate holder
operable to support a food plate in a generally horizontal posture;
a wire cup holder connected to said wire plate holder and being
operable to support a drinking cup; and a stanchion connected at a
lower end to said wire base and connected at an auger end to said
wire plate holder wherein a food plate and drink cup may be
operably supported above a support surface to facilitate casual
personal dining.
20. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 19
wherein: said wire base comprises a ring of wire a hub and a
plurality of radiating wire arms operably coplanar with said ring
of wire to provide a stable support for said stanchion connected to
said wire base.
21. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 20
wherein: said wire base comprises four radiating wire arms.
22. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 20
wherein: said wire base comprises a plurality of radiating wire
arms bent ninety degrees upwardly at the center of said base to be
cooperatively received within the interior of a base portion of
said stanchion.
23. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 19
wherein: said stanchion is a tubular member and operably slides
over the upwardly bent wire arms of said wire base.
24. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 23
wherein: said stanchion is divided into two vertical sections with
a lower portion of an upper section telescoped into an upper
portion of a lower section at a joint intermediate the length of
said stanchion.
25. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 19
wherein: an anchor is operably connected to a base portion of said
stanchion, said anchor sewing to releasably pin said wire base to a
ground surface.
26. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 19
wherein: said wire plate holder comprises two wire rings having a
common central axis, and a plurality of radiating support arms
connected between said two wire rings and extending to a central
position to operably connect to the upper end portion of said
stanchion.
27. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 26
wherein: a first of said two wire rings has a first diameter
slightly larger than a diameter of a dining plate and larger than a
diameter of a second of said two wire rings of said plate holder; a
second of said two wire rings has a diameter less than the diameter
of said first of said two wire rings and being operable to support
a bottom portion of a dinner plate; and said plurality of radiating
support arms connected between said two wire rings extend at
approximately an angle of forty-five degrees from said first wire
ring to said second wire ring.
28. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 28
wherein: said plate holder comprises four radiating support
arms.
29. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 19
wherein: said cup holder is formed from a wire member having a
generally cylindrical configuration with an upper wire ring and a
lower wire ring, and wherein said cup holder further comprises an
open, outer lateral portion between said upper wire ring and said
lower wire ring.
30. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 29
wherein: said cup holder comprises at least one vertical wire
member extending between said upper wire ring and said lower wire
ring of said cup holder and being operable to provide side support
for a drink container positioned in said cup holder.
31. A portable, personal table system comprising: a wire base
operable to be disposed upon a support surface and comprising a
ring of wire, a wire hub and a plurality of inwardly radiating wire
arms operably coplanar with said ring of wire to provide a stable
support for a stanchion connected to said wire base; a wire plate
holder operable to support a food plate in a generally horizontal
posture and comprising two wire rings having a common central axis
and a plurality of radiating support arms connected between said
two wire rings and extending to a central position to operably
connect to an upper end portion of said stanchion; a wire cup
holder connected to said wire plate holder and being operable to
support a drinking cup and formed from a generally rectangular wire
having the long side of said rectangular wire curved to form a
generally cylindrical configuration with an upper wire ring and a
lower wire ring and wherein said cup holder further comprises an
open, outer lateral portion between said upper wire ring and said
lower wire ring; and a stanchion connected at one end to said wire
hub and connected at the other end to said wire plate holder
wherein a food plate and drink cup may be operably supported above
a support surface to facilitate casual personal dining.
32. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 31
further wherein: an anchor is operably connected to a base portion
of said stanchion, said anchor being operable to releasably pin
said wire base to a ground surface.
33. A portable, personal table system as defined in claim 31
wherein: said stanchion is a tubular member and is divided into two
vertical sections with a lower portion of an upper section
telescoped into an upper portion of a lower section at a joint
intermediate the length of said stanchion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application relates to and claims priority of
provisional application Ser. No. 60/177,224 filed on Jan. 21,
2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to outdoor grilling,
picnicking and casual meal consumption where conventional table
facilities are either not available or undesirable. More
specifically, the invention is directed to a portable table for one
person for casual dining.
[0003] Grilling out has become very popular for backyard cookouts,
grilling at the beach, tailgate parties at ball games, auto races,
etc. No matter where people gather for a cook out, one problem is
consistent, there are either inadequate or no table facilities
available. The only current resolution to the problem is to carry
portable tables and chairs to the picnic site. A difficulty with
this is that most passenger vehicles have limited size and space
accommodations for transporting bulky items. Carrying large items
also limits the remaining available space for basic necessities
such as a cooler, picnic basket, etc.
[0004] Another important factor is safety. Tables, chairs and other
bulky items protruding from the trunks of vehicles, held in by
ropes, bungy cords, or the like, present a danger to the occupants
and to other motorists. Such items can block driver vision or fall
into the path of another vehicle.
[0005] An inconvenience associated with the increasing popularity
of outdoor grilling and picnicking is eating from a paper plate
while standing and balancing a cup on any available surface. In
addition, some paper plates are quite flexible which exacerbate the
balancing problem. Campers traveling in motor homes or other types
of RV's also find that the complete lack or shortage of outdoor
table facilities requires that they balance a plate on their lap
and place their cup wherever they can. It would therefore be highly
desirable to provide an individual means for safely and securely
holding a paper or plastic plate and a cup simultaneously for such
occasions.
[0006] If picnic food is served buffet style on a single table or a
row of tables, it is awkward to handle a paper plate and a cup at
the same time. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a
system where a cup and paper plate could be retained in one hand so
that it would be possible for a user to serve themselves from open
dishes.
[0007] In addition, people gathered at home for a reunion or Super
Bowl game need more table surface than the typical home provides
for dining. Again, guests have no choice but to sit or stand
wherever possible and juggle their plate and cup as best they can
while eating.
[0008] Still further, many adults and children like to eat while
casually sitting in a family room environment such as on a couch or
on the floor while they watch television or a video. Conventional
portable tables are inconvenient to set up or too flimsy to provide
a stable system to hold a plate and a cup. Moreover, conventional
tray tables are not vertically adjustable to accommodate a person
sitting on a couch or chair and also a child that might want to sit
on the floor.
[0009] The difficulties and limitations suggested in the preceding
are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are among many which
demonstrate that although significant attention and energy have
been devoted to improving features of indoor and outdoor dining
accommodations, the features of portability, ease of assembly and
disassembly, storage and flexibility of use of tables for indoor
and outdoor dining in the past will admit to worthwhile
improvement.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide
a novel, portable dining unit, for one, which will obviate or
minimize difficulties and achieve desired results of the type
previously described.
[0011] It is another general object of the invention to provide a
novel, portable table that can be transported to and from picnic
sites conveniently and safely.
[0012] It is a specific object of the invention to provide a novel,
portable table that will assemble and disassemble for transport and
storage in minimal space.
[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel,
portable table that can be quickly assembled and or disassembled
without the use of any special tools or additional equipment.
[0014] It is another object of the invention to provide a novel,
portable table that will reliably hold a paper plate and cup.
[0015] It is yet another object of the invention to provide an
individual, portable table that provides a cup holder device that
will accommodate all sizes and shapes of drink containers such as
soft drink cans, cans with insulation covers (koozies), bottles,
glasses and coffee cups or mugs.
[0016] It is a still another object of the invention to provide a
portable table that has a stable base or platform capable of secure
use on different types of surfaces from hard flooring to sand on
the beach.
[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide a
portable table that has a base that is adaptable to sandy or uneven
surfaces to eliminate or minimize wobbling or tipping.
[0018] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
portable table that can be adjustable so that it can be set in a
high or low position to accommodate both children and adults at two
distinctly different seating heights.
[0019] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an
individual, portable table that is strong enough to withstand
rigorous outdoor use while being light weight for ease of
travel.
[0020] It is another object of the invention to provide a portable
table that is constructed to allow for easy cleaning after use.
[0021] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
portable table that after being disassembled will fit into a small
storage space or compartment in a home, car or RV for storage or
travel.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention which is intended to
accomplish the foregoing objects includes a portable table system
comprising a base; a hub positioned at the center of said base; a
wire plate holder; a wire cup holder connected to the side of the
plate holder; a stanchion extending between the base and plate
holder; and in certain embodiments ground engaging means operable
to secure the base to a ground surface.
[0023] The portable, personal table system of the present invention
provides an individual with freedom to eat in different locations.
The portable table of the present invention also provides a
convenient means for safely and securely holding a paper plate and
cup simultaneously. Unlike conventional tables, the portable table
system of the present invention also has the advantages of
portability and ease of assembly, disassembly and storage.
Moreover, the portable table system can securely stand on a variety
of surfaces both indoors and outdoors, and can accommodate users of
varying heights. Unlike conventional wooden tables, which are
susceptible to absorption of moisture and warping, the present
invention is fabricated of durable powder-coated steel wire
components, which provide support and durability for extended use
indoors or outdoors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description of
preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of the invention (Go-Table.TM.)
stand being used at a comfortable height by an adult seated on a
couch;
[0026] FIG. 1B is the stand depicted in FIG. 1A, at a lower use
position operable for a child seated on the floor;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the subject invention used
in an outdoor environment;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded, view of the wire
components of the invention, shown in suspension, as they fit
together to function as a portable table for one person;
[0029] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the subject invention,
as assembled together, with a means for securing the base in the
form of an auger like screw tip operable to be turned into the
ground to secure a circular base element;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the subject invention for
use on a hard, indoor surface with reversible stanchion elements,
where one stanchion segment of the invention, with an attached
auger element, is shown mounted in a top position and another
stanchion segment, without the ground engaging auger, is placed in
the lower position and attached to the base;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view, of another
embodiment of the invention where an anchor ring is used to secure
the base to a ground surface;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the invention with an
anchor stanchion element removed so that the stand extends to a
height for either a child or an adult to use the subject portable
table while seated on a floor or ground surface; and
[0033] FIG. 8 is a view of another embodiment of the invention
wherein a lower stanchion segment of the invention includes a
tapered tip to anchor the stanchion into a ground surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Context of the Invention
[0035] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1A, 1B and
2, there will be seen the present invention in its intended
operating environment. In this, FIG. 1A depicts an indoor family
room or covered porch setting where a female FIG. 10 is shown
seated on a couch and consuming a lunch from a portable, personal
table system 16 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention. The portable, personal table system 16 includes a base
18, an upstanding tubular stanchion 20, a wire plate holder 22 and
an attached wire cup holder 24.
[0036] The stanchion 20 is divided at approximately its center
location and includes an upper segment 26 that is telescoped into a
lower segment 28. Accordingly, if it is desirable to use the
subject personal table by someone, such as a child, that would like
to sit on a ground surface, the upper stanchion segment 26 can be
operably removed, the plate holder 22 inserted into the top of the
lower stanchion segment 28, and the subject portable table may be
facilely used at a lower elevation as shown in use by a child in
FIG. 1B.
[0037] Another operating context is shown in FIG. 2. In this, the
subject portable, personal table system 16 is particularly useful
in an outdoor environment such as at a picnic or beach function. In
this environment, the subject portable, personal table system 16 is
often used in cooperation with lawn chairs 30. When used on grass
or sand, the stanchion 20 maybe fitted in one embodiment with an
auger like screw or ground engaging means (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4)
for securing the subject portable, personal table system 16 into a
ground surface. Alternatively the ground engaging means can be a
pointed tips or a collar with ground engaging times.
[0038] The subject invention is designed specifically to provide a
convenient stable device for holding a dinner plate and cup for
both adults and children while dining inside or out, at home or
away, on a flat hard surface or an uneven or loose surface. The
detailed features of presently preferred embodiments will now be
discussed.
[0039] Portable, Personal Table System
[0040] Turning to the drawings, FIG. 3 discloses an expanded view
of a preferred embodiment comprising the components of the subject
invention, including an auger like screw member or ground engaging
means. FIG. 4 shows the invention as it would be anchored into a
ground surface with the auger like member, and FIG. 5 discloses the
assembled invention as it would be used on a hard surface.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3 (an exploded component view), the base 18
comprises a circular ring of wire 19 with a plurality of inwardly
radiating wire arms or spokes 36, coplanar with said ring 19. The
spokes extend inwardly toward and connect to a hub member 32,
positioned at the center of said base 18. The hub 32 is composed of
a short cylindrical tube, which is operable to receive within its
interior a lower portion of the stanchion segment 28. In one
embodiment, a ground engaging means 29 is positioned at a distant
end of the stanchion segment 28 to extend into a ground
surface.
[0042] The base 18, per se, provides a stable platform for the
table on hard surfaces indoors such as hardwood floors, tile,
carpet and the like as well as outdoor patio and deck surfaces
constructed of cement, wood, and the like. The base 18 also
provides for a large measure of stability for the table on outdoor
surfaces such as grass, sand and the like. In a sand environment
the spokes 36 and base ring 18 may be settled into the sand to
secure the stand.
[0043] The upper stanchion segment 26, like the lower stanchion
segment 28, is composed of metal tubing and has the same diameter
as the lower stanchion segment 28. The upper segment 26 has a
reduced portion 46 that can be fitted into a top end of the lower
stanchion segment 28. The lower stanchion segment 28 has a reduced
portion 48 fits into the hub 32. In a preferred embodiment a ground
engaging means comprising an auger component 29 is axially to the
reduced portion 48 of the lower stanchion. It should be noted that
the use of the upper stanchion segment 26 will add sufficient
height to the subject table system so that it is of a comfortable
height to be used by an adult while seated in a conventional chair
or couch. Alternatively, removal of the upper stanchion segment 26
will position the table's height to a lower use position for either
a child or an adult seated on the floor or ground surface.
[0044] The lower stanchion segment 28, with attached auger 29, is
cooperatively received within the interior of the hub 32. The auger
29 projects beneath the plane of the base 18, and is operable to
bore into a ground surface by rotating the stanchion to provide
support for the portable table system.
[0045] The plate holder 22 is constructed of metal wire similar to
the wire of the base 18 and is comprised of two wire rings 48 and
50 having a common central axis. The outer ring 48 is larger in
diameter than the inner ring 50. The rings 48 and 50 are attached
to radiating support arms 52, 54, 56 and 58 which are connected to
the rings as shown in FIG. 3 by the plurality of said radiating
support arms. The radiating support arms 52-58 are welded to the
rings 48 and 50 in such a manner that the small ring is offset in a
plane slightly beneath the plane of the larger ring. This enables
the upper ring to generally conform to the diameter of a
conventional serving plate and the smaller, lower ring to conform
to the base of the plate. The radiating wires 52-58 are bent
downwardly in the center at approximately a right angle to form a
downwardly extending column 60. This column 60 is operably received
within an upper portion of the stanchion segment 26 to securely
support the plate holder 22 in a horizontal posture.
[0046] The cup holder 24 is composed of wire and is connected to
the side of the plate holder 22. A lateral wall surfaces of the cup
holder is formed by wire having a C-shaped upper ring 62 and a
similar C-shaped lower ring 64. The rings 62 and 64 are
interconnected by vertical rods 65 to form a generally cylindrical
cup holder. A gap in the rings 62 and 64 serves as an opening 66
for the handle of a cup or mug. The upper ring 62 of the cup holder
24 is attached by means of a weld to the upper ring 48 of the plate
holder 22 and the lower ring 64 of the cup holder 24 is attached to
a downwardly bent extension of radiating arm 54 of the plate holder
22. A pair of crossing wires 68 is used to provide a base for a cup
positioned within the cup holder. Although the wires 68 are shown
in a parallel position other configurations are envisioned such as
a radiating design.
[0047] The plate holder 22 and cup holder 24 can be rotated one
hundred and eighty (180) degrees to suit the needs of both left and
right handed users. In a preferred embodiment the wire is coated
with powder paint which is baked on to provide a smooth outer
surface that is resistant to rust.
[0048] FIG. 4 depicts an assembled portable, personal table system
where the plate holder 22 and cup holder 24 are fitted into the top
of the upper stanchion segment 26. The upper segment 26 is
telescoped into the top end of the lower stanchion segment 28, and
the lower stanchion segment 28 is telescoped through the hub 32. In
a preferred embodiment the lower segment 28 has attached at its
posterior end an auger like ground engaging element 29. The lower
segment 28 that is fitted with the auger 29 is inserted into the
upper portion of hub 32, and the auger 29 projects beneath the
plane of the base 18 to secure the base to the ground. Referring to
FIG. 5, when it is not necessary to secure the base 18 to the
ground, the upper segment 26 and the lower segment can be reversed
and the auger 28 is positioned within the interior of the stanchion
segment 26.
[0049] FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of the inventions.
The base 18 comprises a ring of wire 19 with a plurality of
inwardly radiating wire arms 36, coplanar with said ring 19. The
arms 36 are bent ninety degrees upwardly at the center of the base
18 to form an upstanding mounting column 37. In this, the
individual upwardly bent wire components cooperatively form a
generally cylindrical member which can be received within the
interior of the base portion of a lower stanchion segment 28.
Although the use of four spokes 36 is preferred it is possible to
use three or five, as desired to provide a stable base.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, the base 18 can be operably stabilized
by an anchor ring 41 which is formed from wire components attach to
a metal collar or hub 40. The wire components include a ring 42 and
a plurality of radiating spokes 44 which extend from the center of
the anchor ring 42 and hub 40. The radiating spokes 44 are
connected to the ring 42 and are then bent downwardly ninety
degrees having free ends or tines 34 operable to be releasably
embedded into a ground surface for outdoor use. Application of a
moderate amount of downward force on the metal ring 42 by a user's
foot will serve to implant the tines into the ground or sand. The
metal hub 40 at the center of said anchor ring 41 is slightly
larger in diameter than the lower stanchion segment 28 and operably
slides along the stanchion. When the invention is being used on a
hard surface, the four (4) tines 34 of the anchor ring 41 rest on
the surface of the base ring 18 as the anchor ring 41 is free to
slid up on the lower stanchion segment 28. Alternatively the anchor
ring 41 can simply be removed. The combination of the base 18 and
the anchor ring 41 together provide a stable platform for the
subject invention. The anchor ring 41 is slidably received along
the lower segment 28 and the subject invention is operable for use
in an outdoor lawn or beach environment next to a folding picnic
chair.
[0051] In another operative mode the upper stanchion segment 26 is
removed and the plate holder 22 and attached cup holder 24 are
mounted directly into the upper end of the lower stanchion segment
28 as shown in FIG. 7. This form of the invention can be used by a
child sitting on a floor surface watching TV as shown in FIG. 1.
Alternatively, the anchor ring 41 can be attached and the lower
elevation invention used alongside a low beach chair or the
like.
[0052] Finally another embodiment of a ground engaging means is
shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment the lower stanchion segment 28
is formed with a generally sharp-end or spike component 31 that can
operably be pushed into a ground surface to secure the base 18 to a
ground surface.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0053] The present invention represents an enhanced option for
informal dining both indoors and outdoors. There are numerous
occasions when people gather together to celebrate family reunions,
birthdays, ball games and the like in their home where there is not
enough seating and table space to accommodate everyone present. The
portable, personal table system is very useful during these
occasions as it can be set up quickly and used anywhere in the
house. When not in use the subject portable table breaks down and
stores away in a drawer, cabinet, closet or the like.
[0054] There are many uses for this unique invention in today's
mobile society such as tail-gate parties at sporting events,
camping at the beach or wherever people have a picnic table in
their backyard and they are in short supply at park and campgrounds
as well. As a result people are forced to sit with a paper plate in
their lap and nowhere to place their cup when they are cooking out.
Additionally, the portable table is manufactured from strong heavy
gauge steel wire and then powder coated with non-toxic paint to
protect it for many years of physical use. It is constructed to be
cleaned and stored away very quickly and conveniently. Other
materials such as plastic could also be used to form some or even
all of the components of this invention.
[0055] A stanchion element is divided into two sections so that the
height of the plate holder can be lowered by removing one section.
The plate and cup holder are faciely removable from the stanchion
so that a paper plate and cup can be easily supported with one hand
to pour a drink or add food to one's plate with the free hand.
[0056] In describing the subject invention, reference has been made
to a preferred embodiment and illustrative advantages of the
invention. Those skilled in the art, however, and familiar with the
instant disclosure of the subject invention, may also recognize
other additions, deletions, modifications, substitutions and/or
other changes which will fall within the purview of the subject
invention and claims.
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