Table

Abstract

A table is provided wherein the table includes a main table, the main table including at least one main table support device and at least one secondary table, the at least one secondary table including at least one secondary table support device, wherein the at least one main table support device is associated with the at least one secondary table support device such that the at least one secondary table is configurable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/586,341, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 07, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to a table and more particularly to a table having multiple configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Tables are well known and typically include a space on top of the table for working and playing as well as drawers or containers for storing items. This allows someone using the table the option of leaving items on the tabletop for later use or removing those items for storage in the attached drawers or containers or elsewhere.

[0004] Unfortunately however, several problems exist with current table designs. One of these problems involves the inconvenience of having a limited amount of table space available. In most situations, this limited amount of available table space requires that the table be cleared, either partially or completely, of items each time the table is used and depending on the purpose the table was being used for this may be time a time consuming process. For example, consider a child who is using the table as a play space to hold a train set. When the child is finished playing with the train set, the train set must be disassembled and removed in order for the table to be used for other purposes. Thus, every time the child wants to use the table to hold the train set, or other toy, the set has to be rebuilt which can be inconvenient and time consuming. Another example to consider involves an older child or adult who is using the table as a hobby space or a work space. If that person wants to leave the hobby materials or work materials on the table to continue the hobby or work at a later time, the table could not be used for other purposes.

[0005] Thus, because the current table designs provide a work/play space that is not configurable or adjustable in size, these current designs do not maximize the utilization of space and are thus space inefficient. One way to address this problem involves using a plurality of tables or larger sized tables to provide a sufficient amount of space to satisfy work/play space needs. However, most homes or businesses do not have a large amount of space to dedicate to multiple or a large or even medium sized table. As such, if a table is present, it was probably selected in large response to the area where the table will be placed as opposed to the amount of work/play space actually desired or needed. Unfortunately, this can affect work/play quality and/or work efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A table is provided wherein the table includes a main table, the main table including at least one main table support device and at least one secondary table, the at least one secondary table including at least one secondary table support device, wherein the at least one main table support device is associated with the at least one secondary table support device such that the at least one secondary table is configurable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration.

[0007] A table is provided wherein the table includes a main table, the main table including at least one main table configuration device and at least one secondary table, the at least one secondary table including at least one secondary table configuration device, wherein the at least one main table configuration device is associated with the at least one secondary table configuration device such that the at least one secondary table is configurable between a stowed configuration and an upright configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a table, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the table of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of a main table leg of the table of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a secondary table top of the table of FIG. 1, with the secondary legs in the stowed configuration;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a secondary table top of the table of FIG. 1, with two of the secondary legs in the un-stowed configuration;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of a secondary table top of the table of FIG. 1, with two of the secondary legs in the un-stowed configuration;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side view of a secondary table top of the table of FIG. 1, with two of the secondary legs in the un-stowed configuration;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a front view of a secondary leg of the table of FIG. 1, in the retracted configuration;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a front view of a secondary leg of the table of FIG. 1, in the partially extended configuration;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a front view of a secondary leg of the table of FIG. 1, in the fully extended configuration;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a front view of the table of FIG. 1 in a first configuration;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a front view of the table of FIG. 1 in a second configuration;

[0021] FIG. 13 is a front view of the table of FIG. 1 in a third configuration;

[0022] FIG. 14 is a front view of the table of FIG. 1 in a fourth configuration; and

[0023] FIG. 15 is a front view of the table of FIG. 1 in a fifth configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring to the Figures, a first embodiment of a table 100 is illustrated and described below. FIGS. 1-3 shows table 100 including a main table top 102 and two secondary table tops. 104, wherein main table top 102 is non-movably associated with, and supported by, at least two main table legs 106. Main table legs 106 include a plurality of main table support means 108 and main table top 102 includes a main table top surface 110 and a main table bottom surface 112, wherein main table top surface 110 and main table bottom surface 112 may be any type of table top suitable to the desired end purpose, including, but not limited to, a chalk board surface, a dry erase surface and a magnet board surface. It is also contemplated that at least one of the main table top 102 and secondary table top 104 may be configured for use as a computing device and/or a digital display device to allow table 100 to be used as an entertainment center. For example, secondary table top 104 may include a processing device, a digital display screen and a keyboard attachment which would allow the secondary table top 104 to be used as a processing/entertainment device. Additionally, main table top 102 includes at least one main table configuration means 114 disposed on an edge of main table top 102.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 4-10, secondary table top 104 is shown and includes secondary table top outer structure 116, a plurality of secondary table support means 118 and a plurality of secondary legs 120. Referring to FIG. 4, secondary table top outer structure 116 defines at least one leg cavity 122 for removably containing at least one of the plurality of secondary legs 120, wherein secondary legs 120 are telescoping legs as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. Plurality of secondary legs 120 are associated with secondary table top outer structure 116 such that each of the plurality of secondary legs 120 are configurable between a stowed configuration 124 and an un-stowed configuration 126. Additionally, because each of the plurality of secondary legs 120 are telescoping legs, secondary legs 120 are configurable between a retracted configuration 128, a partially extended configuration 130 and a fully extended configuration 132.

[0026] When plurality of secondary legs 120 are disposed in the stowed configuration 124 each of the plurality of secondary legs 120 are securingly disposed within leg cavity 122 via any method suitable to the desired end purpose, such as a clip, and a friction fit. Additionally, while the plurality of secondary legs 120 are disposed in the stowed configuration 124 each of the plurality of secondary legs 120 are disposed in the retracted configuration 128. While being configured between the stowed configuration 124 and the un-stowed configuration 126 at least two of the secondary legs 120 are rotated 90.degree. about an axis y. If desired, one or all of the plurality of secondary legs 120 may be configured between retracted configuration 128, partially extended configuration 130 and/or fully extended configuration 132. Secondary table top 104 includes a secondary table top surface 134 and a secondary table bottom surface 136, wherein secondary table top surface 134 and secondary table bottom surface 136 may be any type of table top suitable to the desired end purpose, including, but not limited to, a chalk board surface, a dry erase surface and a magnet board surface. Additionally, secondary table top 104 includes at least one secondary table configuration means 138 disposed on an edge of secondary table top outer structure 116.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 11-14, table 100 is shown with secondary table tops 104 in multiple configurations, each of which is described below. Referring to FIG. 11, table 100 is shown having an upper secondary table top 140 and a lower secondary table top 142, both of which are in the un-stowed configuration 126 to opposite sides of table 100. Upper secondary table top 140 is supported on one side by the interaction between main table support means (not shown) and secondary table support means (not shown) and on the opposing side by two secondary legs 120, wherein each of the two secondary legs 120 are configured into partially extended configuration 130. Similarly, lower secondary table top 142 is supported on one side by the interaction between main table support means (not shown) and secondary table support means (not shown) and on the opposing side by two secondary legs 120, wherein each of the two secondary legs 120 are configured into retracted configuration 128.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 12, table 100 is shown having two secondary table tops 104, both of which are in the un-stowed configuration 126 to opposite sides of table 100. Each of the two secondary table tops 104 is supported on one side by the interaction between main table support means (not shown) and secondary table support means (not shown) and on the opposing side by two secondary legs 120, wherein each of the two secondary legs 120 are configured into partially extended configuration 130.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 13, table 100 is shown having two secondary table tops 104, both of which are in the un-stowed configuration 126 to opposite sides of table 100. Each of the two secondary table tops 104 is supported on one side by the interaction between main table configuration means 114 and secondary table configuration means 138 and on the opposing side by two secondary legs 120, wherein each of the two secondary legs 120 are configured into fully extended configuration 132.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 14, table 100 is shown having a first secondary table top 144 and a second secondary table top 146, both of which are in the un-stowed configuration 126 to opposite sides of table 100. First secondary table top 144 is supported on one side by the interaction between main table configuration means 114 and secondary table configuration means 138 and on the opposing side by two secondary legs 120, wherein each of the two secondary legs 120 are configured into fully extended configuration 132. Second secondary table top 146 is supported on one side by two secondary legs 120 each of which are shown as being configured into retracted configuration 128 and on the opposing side by the interaction between main table configuration means 114 and secondary table configuration means 138 such that second secondary table top 146 is disposed at an angle .beta. which may be equal to, greater than or less than 90.degree. from a plane parallel to main table top 102. Second secondary table top 146 is configured into this configuration by associating secondary table configuration means 138 with main table configuration means 114 wherein the association between secondary table configuration means 138 and main table configuration means 114 allows for second secondary table top 146 to be rotated about an axis g.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 15, table 100 is shown having a first secondary table top 144 and a second secondary table top 146, both of which are in the un-stowed configuration 126 to opposite sides of table 100. Both first secondary table top 144 and second secondary table top 146 are supported on one side by two secondary legs 120 each of which are configured into retracted configuration 128 and on the opposing side by the interaction between main table configuration means 114 and secondary table configuration means 138 such that both first secondary table top 144 and second secondary table top 146 are disposed at an angle .beta. which may be equal to, greater than or less than 90.degree. from a plane parallel to main table top 102.

[0032] Main table support means 108 and secondary table support means 118 may be any device and/or system of devices suitable to the desired end purpose such that secondary table tops 104 are configurably associated with main table top 102, such as a roller/guide support device, a tongue in groove type of support device and a ball bearing type of support device. Moreover, main table configuration means 114 and secondary table configuration means 138 may be any configuration means suitable to the desired end purpose which allows table 100 to be configured between at least two configurations.

[0033] Moreover, main table configuration means 114 and secondary table configuration means 138 may be any device and/or system of devices suitable to the desired end purpose such that secondary table tops 104 are configurably associated with main table top 102 to be disposed at an angle .beta. which may be equal to, greater than or less than 90.degree. from a horizontal plane relative to main table top 102, such as a roller/guide support device, a tongue in groove type of support device and a ball bearing type of support device. Furthermore, although secondary table legs 120 are shown as being telescoping, secondary table legs 120 may be any type of support structure suitable to the desired end purpose, such as collapsible legs and/or folding legs and/or any combination thereof.

[0034] Table 100 may be constructed, in whole or in part, from any material or combination of materials suitable to the desired end purpose, such as a metallic material, wood, particle board, plastic and/or a composite.

[0035] It should be appreciated that although table 100 is shown having one main table top 102 and two secondary table tops 104, table 100 may have any number of main table tops 102 and/or secondary table tops 104. It should also be appreciated that secondary legs 120 may be manually or automatically unstowable.

[0036] While the disclosed embodiment has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed herein contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and/or teachings of the appended sections.

Claims

1. A table comprising: a main table, said main table including at least one main table support device; and at least one secondary table, said at least one secondary table including at least one secondary table support device, wherein said at least one main table support device is associated with said at least one secondary table support device such that said at least one secondary table is configurable between a stowed configuration and an extended configuration.

2. The table of claim 1, further including at least one main table configuration device and at least one secondary table configuration device, wherein when said at least one secondary table configuration device is associated with said at least one main table configuration device said at least one secondary table is configurable between said stowed configuration and an upright configuration.

3. The table of claim 1, wherein the table is constructed from at least one of a metallic material, wood, particle board, plastic, composite material and a combination of said metallic material, wood, particle board, plastic and composite material.

4. The table of claim 1, wherein said at least one secondary table includes a secondary top surface and a secondary bottom surface, wherein at least one of said secondary top surface and said secondary bottom surface is constructed from a predetermined material responsive to a predetermined application.

5. The table of claim 4, wherein said predetermined material includes at least one of a metallic material, a dry-erase board material and a chalk board material.

6. The table of claim 4, wherein said predetermined application includes at least one of a magnet holder, a chalk-board and a dry-erase board.

7. The table of claim 4, wherein said predetermined application includes at least one of a processing device, an input/output device and a display device.

8. The table of claim 1, wherein when said at least one secondary table is configured into said stowed configuration, said at least one secondary table is disposed under said main table.

9. The table of claim 1, wherein when said at least one secondary table is configured into said extended configuration said at least one secondary table is disposed to be extended away from said main table.

10. The table of claim 1, wherein said at least one secondary table includes at least one secondary table leg, wherein said at least one secondary table leg is configurable between a stored configuration and an unstored configuration.

11. A table comprising: a main table, said main table including at least one main table configuration device; and at least one secondary table, said at least one secondary table including at least one secondary table configuration device, wherein said at least one main table configuration device is associated with said at least one secondary table configuration device such that said at least one secondary table is configurable between a stowed configuration and an upright configuration.

12. The table of claim 11, further including at least one main table support device and at least one secondary table support device, wherein when said at least one secondary table support device is associated with said at least one main table support device said at least one secondary table is configurable between said stowed configuration and an extended configuration.

13. The table of claim 12, wherein said at least one secondary table includes a secondary top surface and a secondary bottom surface, wherein at least one of said secondary top surface and said secondary bottom surface is constructed from a predetermined material responsive to a predetermined application.

14. The table of claim 13, wherein said predetermined material includes at least one of a metallic material, a dry-erase board material and a chalk board material.

15. The table of claim 13, wherein said predetermined application includes at least one of a magnet holder, a chalk-board and a dry-erase board.

16. The table of claim 13, wherein said predetermined application includes at least one of a processing device, an input/output device and a display device.

17. The table of claim 12, wherein when said at least one secondary table is configured into said stowed configuration, said at least one secondary table is disposed under said main table.

18. The table of claim 12, wherein when said at least one secondary table is configured into said extended configuration said at least one secondary table is disposed to be extended away from said main table.

19. The table of claim 12, wherein said at least one secondary table includes at least one secondary table leg, wherein said at least one secondary table leg is configurable between a stored configuration and an unstored configuration.

20. The table of claim 11, wherein the table is constructed from at least one of a metallic material, wood, particle board, plastic, composite material and a combination of said metallic material, wood, particle board, plastic and composite material.