U.S. patent application number 11/330544 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for rotatable table.
This patent application is currently assigned to HC Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Donald Bottemiller.
Application Number | 20070157857 11/330544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38231549 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070157857 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bottemiller; Donald |
July 12, 2007 |
Rotatable table
Abstract
A table includes a base and a table top for positioning on the
base. The table top includes a unitary construction and a
substantially flat, uninterrupted upper surface and a bottom
surface. A plurality of rollers are rotatably secured to the base
and rotatably engage the bottom surface of the table top such that
the table top rotates in a horizontal plane about a rotational
axis. A mechanism on the base engages the table top and prevents
the table top from moving laterally in the horizontal plane with
respect to the base.
Inventors: |
Bottemiller; Donald;
(Wadena, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WESTMAN CHAMPLIN & KELLY, P.A.
SUITE 1400
900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-3319
US
|
Assignee: |
HC Holdings, LLC
Wadena
MN
56482
|
Family ID: |
38231549 |
Appl. No.: |
11/330544 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/103 |
International
Class: |
A47B 11/00 20060101
A47B011/00 |
Claims
1. A table comprising: a base; a table top having a rotational axis
and a unitary construction with a substantially uninterrupted upper
surface and a bottom surface and wherein the table top positions on
the base; a first plurality of rollers rotatably secured to the
base and rotating in a vertical plane for rotatably engaging the
bottom surface of the table top such that the table top rotates
about the rotational axis; and a mechanism positioned on the base
and below the bottom surface of the table top engaging the table
top for preventing the table top from moving laterally in a
horizontal plane with respect to the base.
2. The table of claim 1 and further comprising a ring attached to a
bottom surface of the table top and wherein the first plurality of
rollers engage the ring such that the table top rotates about the
rotational axis.
3. The table of claim 2 and wherein the ring is moveably attached
to the table top such that a center point of the ring substantially
aligns with the axis of rotation of the table top.
4. The table of claim 1 and further comprising an extension
extending downwardly from the table top when the extension is
substantially located on the rotational axis.
5. The table of claim 4 and wherein the mechanism comprises a plate
substantially centrally located on the base having an aperture for
accepting the extension wherein the cooperation of the extension
within the aperture prevents lateral movement of the table top
relative to the base.
6. The table of claim 1, wherein the base comprises: a loop; and a
plurality of legs attached to the loop.
7. The table of claim 6 and wherein the base further comprises a
plurality of brackets attached to the loop wherein the first
plurality of rollers rotatably attach to the plurality or
brackets.
8. The table of claim 3 and further comprising a cylindrical ring
attached to a bottom surface of the table top and wherein the
cylindrical ring further comprises a substantially vertical
interior side wall.
9. The table of claim 8 and wherein the mechanism comprises a
second plurality of rollers rotatably secured to the base wherein
the second plurality of rollers rotate in a substantially
horizontal plane of rotation wherein the second set of rollers
engage the substantially vertical interior side wall.
10. A table having a rotating table top, the table comprising: a
base; a first plurality of rollers attached to the base and
positioned to rotate in a vertical plane; a table top having a
substantially uninterrupted upper surface and having an axis of
rotation and comprising a substantially circular rail attached
thereto for engaging the first plurality of rollers and having an
axis of rotation; and wherein the table top is rotatable 360
degrees in a substantially horizontal plane by engaging the
plurality of rollers.
11. The table of claim 10 and wherein the substantially circular
rail adjustably positions on the table top such that a center point
of the substantially circular rail substantially aligns with the
axis of rotation.
12. The table of claim 10 and wherein the rail comprises a
substantially flat surface for engaging the plurality of
rollers.
13. The table of claim 10 and further comprising a mechanism
attached to the base and engaging the table top for preventing
lateral movement of the table top.
14. The table of claim 10 and wherein the rail comprises an
interior substantially interior vertical side wall.
15. The table of claim 14 and further comprising a second plurality
of rollers attached to the base that rotate in a horizontal plane
and wherein the second plurality of rollers engage the interior
substantial vertical side wall to prevent the table top from
laterally moving.
16. The table of claim 10 and further comprising an extension
extending downwardly from the table top wherein the extension is
substantially located on the rotational axis of the table top.
17. The table of claim 16 and wherein the base comprises a plate
having an aperture for accepting the extension wherein the
cooperation of the extension within the aperture prevents lateral
movement of the table top relative to the base.
18. A rotatable table comprising: a table top of a unitary
construction and having a substantially uninterrupted upper surface
and having a rotational axis; a base for supporting the table top;
a rail attached to a bottom surface of the table top; a first
plurality of rollers rotatably connected to the base and rotatably
in a vertical plane for engaging the rail to rotate the top about
the rotational axis; and a second plurality of rollers rotatably
attached to the base for rotatable in a horizontal plane and
engaging the rail for restraining lateral movement of the table top
during rotation.
19. The table of claim 18 and wherein the rail comprises a
substantially vertical side wall for engaging the plurality of
horizontally rotatable rollers.
20. The table of claim 19 wherein the rail comprises an inwardly
extending lip attached to a bottom edge of the vertical wall and
wherein the lip engages a bottom point of the first plurality of
rollers to retain the table top to the base.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a table with a movable top.
In particular, the present invention relates to a table with a
movable top that rotates in a horizontal plane.
[0002] Typically, a table top is stationary or has a limited range
of movement. One such limited movement occurs when the table top is
elevated from a typical position above the stationary base to
increase the height of the table. However, when the table top is
elevated, visually unappealing aesthetic issues can arise because
the mechanical apparatus that supports the table top may become
visible.
[0003] Additionally, a table with a non-rotatable top makes it
difficult for a person seated at the table to gain access to an
item beyond the person's reach. The person may have to ask another
guest to pass the item. Alternatively, the seated person may have
to rise and walk around the table to gain access the desired item,
which may be difficult to do, especially in a crowded situation or
where there is little space to maneuver around the table.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention includes a table having a base and a
table top having a unitary construction and a substantially flat,
uninterrupted upper surface and a bottom surface for positioning on
the base. A plurality of rollers are rotatably secured to the base
and rotatably engage the bottom surface of the table top such that
the table top rotates in a horizontal plane about a rotational
axis. A mechanism on the base engages the table top and prevents
the table top from moving laterally in the horizontal plane with
respect to the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table of the present
invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the table of the
present invention.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the table of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of horizontal and vertical
rollers engaging the table top and the ring of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the horizontal and vertical
rollers engaging the ring attached to the table top of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present invention includes a table having a rotatable
table top as illustrated in FIG. 1 at 10. The table top 12 is
rotatably secured to a stationary base 14 and preferably rotates
360.degree. about a rotational axis 42 in a horizontal plane in a
direction indicated by arrows 16. However, a table 10 having a
table top 12 with limited range of rotational movement about the
rotational axis 42 is also within the scope of the present
invention. The rotatable table top 12 allows a person seated or
standing proximate the table 10 to access items on the table top 12
regardless of the person's position.
[0011] The table top 12 has a size sufficient to seat two or more
people and preferably has a substantially circular perimeter 15 and
a diameter between about 24 inches and about 60 inches. However, a
table top 12 of any diameter is within the scope of the present
invention. The table top 12 is typically of a unitary construction
being constructed from a single piece of material where a top
surface 11 is substantially flat and uninterrupted from one edge of
the perimeter 15 to another edge. By substantially uninterrupted
upper surface is meant that the only surface visible from above is
surface 11 and no rollers or other mechanisms that provide the
ability to move, rotate or secure the table top are visible from a
position above the surface 11. Such a surface provides an aesthetic
not known before for heavy table tops. Although a table top 12 with
a generally circular perimeter 15 is typical, a table top 12 having
a polygonal perimeter is within the scope of the present invention.
Preferably, the table top 12 is constructed from a single piece of
material such as a natural stone, including granite and marble, as
well as a variety of manmade materials.
[0012] A rail 18 mounts to a bottom surface 13 of the table top 12
where the rail 18 has a generally circular outer perimeter 19. The
rail 18 includes a substantially flat top surface 20 that abuts the
substantially flat bottom surface 13 of the table top 12. The rail
18 also includes a substantially flat bottom surface 22 that is
substantially parallel to the substantially flat top surface
20.
[0013] The rail 18 mounts to the bottom surface 13 of the table top
12 by attaching a plurality of tabs 26 extending from the outer
perimeter 19 of the rail 18 to a plurality of mounting brackets 24
that are attached to the table top 12. Each tab 26 includes an
aperture (not shown) that aligns with an aperture (not shown) in
each mounting brackets 24 such that a rivet 28 is positioned
through the aligned aperture (not shown) to pivotally attached the
mounting bracket 24 to the tab 26. The rivet 28 allows each
mounting bracket 24 to rotate relative to each tab 26 such that a
position of the rail 18 can be adjusted on the bottom surface 13 of
the table top 12.
[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a distal end 30 of each mounting
bracket 24 includes a slot 32 which is aligned with a threaded bore
34 in the table top 12. A threaded bolt 36 is positioned through
the slot 32 and threadably engages the threaded bore 34 to secure
the rail 18 in the selected position on the table top 12.
Typically, a metal insert 38, having a threaded bore 39, is
positioned into a bore 40 in the table top 12 to provide a secure
threadable engagement for the bolt 36. The slot 32 in the distal
end 30 of each mounting bracket 24 provides for adjustment of the
rail 18 into a selected position on the table top 12 such that the
rotational axis 42 of the table top intersects a centerpoint 44 of
the rail 18. With the axis 42 aligned with the centerpoint 44, the
table top 12, having the generally circular perimeter 15, rotates
without having an offset or eccentric motion such that when the
table top 12 is rotated, the table top 16 does not move laterally.
By lateral is meant linear or non-rotational movement away from the
center of point 44 in the horizontal plane.
[0015] Typically, four tabs 26 (two of which are shown) are
positioned equally about the outer perimeter 19 of the ring 18 and
engage four mounting brackets 24 (three of which are shown). When
the four mounting brackets 24 are secured to the table top 12 with
the bolts 36, the rail 18 is secured in the selected position.
[0016] A plurality of reinforcing rods 46 having distal ends 47
secured to an interior surface 17 of the rail 18 extend towards the
centerpoint 44 of the rail 18. Preferably, four reinforcing rods
46, having a length that is longer than a radius defined by a
distance from the centerpoint 44 to the interior surface 17 of the
rail 18, are attached to the interior surface 17 at 90.degree.
angles. Proximal ends 48 of the reinforcing rods 46 are joined,
preferably with a weld, to form a substantially square interior
region 52 defined by portions 50 of the reinforcing rods 46 at the
proximal end 48. Each proximal end 48 of the reinforcing rod 46 is
attached to the adjacent reinforcing rod 46 in a substantially
perpendicular configuration to form the substantially square
interior region 52.
[0017] A substantially cylindrical extension 54, attached to the
bottom surface 13 of the table top 12, is positioned in the
substantially square region 52. The cylindrical extension 54
preferably has a through bore 55 having a longitudinal axis that
substantially aligns with the rotational axis 42 of the table top
12. The table top 12 includes an aperture 11 that is aligned with
the through bore 55 within the cylindrical extension 54 such that
an umbrella can be positioned through the aligned through bores 11,
54 to provide shade to a person sitting at the table 10. However, a
table top 12 with a continuous top surface is within the scope of
the present invention.
[0018] The base 14 includes a substantially circular ring 60 and a
plurality of vertically mounted rollers 64 attached to the circular
ring 60. By roller is meant a device in a form generally of a wheel
that rotates about an axis where the roller may rotate with or
without the use of a bushing or a bearing. Each of the plurality of
rollers 64 are attached to a side surface 63 of the ring 60 by
inserting a bolt 66 through a horizontal through bore 68 in the
ring 60 and a through bore 65 in the roller 64 and securing the
bolt 66 therethrough with a threaded nut 67.
[0019] Each bolt 66 provides a horizontal axle upon which each
roller 64 rotates in a vertical plane. Each roller 64 engages the
substantially flat bottom surface 22 of the ring 18. However, it is
within the scope of the present invention for the rollers 64 to
engage the bottom surface 13 of the table top 12. As the table top
12 is rotated in the direction of arrows 16, the bottom surface 22
of the ring 18 engages each roller 64 causing each roller 64 to
rotate about the bolt 66 which allows the table top 12 to easily
rotate about the rotational axis 42. Preferably, the table 10 of
the present invention includes four rollers 64 equally spaced is
about a perimeter of the ring 60 of the base 14 where a top point
of each roller 64 is positioned above a top surface 61 of the ring
60. However, three or more equally spaced rollers 64 are within the
scope of the present invention.
[0020] The base 14 includes a plurality of reinforcing rods 70
having distal ends attached to an interior surface 59 of the ring
60. The reinforcing rods 70 extend inwardly towards a centerpoint
52 of the ring 60. The plurality of reinforcing rods 70 are offset
from one another, and proximal ends 76 are attached to adjacent
reinforcing rods 70 to form a substantially square interior region
78 defined by portions 74 of each reinforcing rod 70 at a proximal
end 76 thereof.
[0021] A plate 80 having a substantially centrally located aperture
82 is secured within the square region 78 defined by the portions
74 at the proximal ends 76 of the reinforcing rods 70, typically by
welding. The cylindrical extension 54 is positioned through the
aperture 82 such that the engagement of the cylindrical extension
54 with a surface 84 defining the aperture 82 prevents the table
top 12 from moving laterally relative to the base 14 thereby
retaining the plurality of rollers 64 on the rail 18 which is
attached to the bottom surface 13 of the table top 12.
Alternatively, the square region 28 defined by the proximal
portions 74 of the reinforcing rods 70 on the base 14 can be sized
to provide sufficiently small tolerances between the interior
surfaces of the proximal portions 74 and the cylindrical extension
54 to prevent the table top 12 from moving laterally with respect
to the base 14 and thereby prevent lateral movement of the table
top 12 with respect to the base 14.
[0022] The base 14 also includes a plurality of legs 88 extending
from a bottom surface of the ring 60. The base 14 typically
includes four legs 88 equally spaced apart from each other that are
typically welded to the bottom surface of the ring 60. However,
other mechanisms for retaining the legs to the ring are within the
scope of the present invention including a threaded engagement. One
skilled in the art will recognize that a base 14 having three or
more legs 88 and a base within uninterrupted outer surface are also
within the scope of the present invention.
[0023] The base 14 also includes a plurality of braces 90 that aid
in securing the plurality of the legs 88 to the ring 60. Each of
the braces 90 preferably includes ends 92 that are attached to the
bottom surface of the ring 60 and a middle portion 94 extending
below the end portions 92 in a generally arcuate configuration
where the middle portion 94 is attached to the leg 88 below the
ring 60. The ends 92 and the middle portion 94 are preferably
attached to the ring 60 and the leg 88 respectively with a weld.
Each brace 90 provides structural integrity to each leg 88 such
that the legs 88 rigidly attach to the ring 60.
[0024] An alternative embodiment of the table of the present
invention is generally illustrated in FIG. 3 at 110. The table 110
includes a table top 112 that is rotatably secured to a stationary
base 114 wherein the table top 112 and the base 114 are similar to
the table top 12 and the base 14 of the embodiment 10. The
embodiment 110 includes a substantially circular ring 118 having a
substantially vertical side wall 119 attached to a bottom surface
113 of the table top 112 such that the vertical side wall 119 and
the bottom surface 113 are in a substantially perpendicular
configuration.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the substantially circular ring
118 is attached to the table top 112 by attaching a plurality of
outwardly extending tabs 120 from a top surface 117 of the vertical
side wall 119 to the bottom surface 113 of the table top 112. Each
of the tabs 120 includes a plurality of slots 122 which are aligned
with a plurality of threaded bores 196 in the bottom surface 113 of
the table top 112 such that each bolt 194 is inserted into one of
the slots 122 and threadably engages a threaded bore 196 within an
insert 197 secured within a bore 195 in the table top 112. The
bolts 194 engage the bores 196 to secure the substantially circular
ring 118 to the table top 112.
[0026] The slots 122 allow the substantially circular ring's
position to be adjusted on the bottom surface 113 of the table top
112 such that a center point 124 of the ring 118 is aligned with a
rotational axis 111 of the table top 112. With the centerpoint 124
aligned with the rotational axis 111, the table top 112 rotates
about the rotational axis 111 without lateral movement. One skilled
in the art will recognize that when the center point 124 of the
ring 118 is offset from the axis of rotation 111 of the table top
112, the table top 112 will rotate in a substantially eccentric
manner which may make rotating the table top 112 difficult when
persons are seated in close proximity to the table 110 because the
table top 112 will move laterally towards and away from the seated
people.
[0027] The base 114 includes a substantially circular loop 140
located in a substantially horizontal plane and which is positioned
within an interior area of the substantially circular ring 118. The
substantially horizontal loop 140 includes a plurality of L-shaped
mounting brackets 144 having substantially horizontal portions that
are attached to a top surface 142 of the ring 140. Preferably, four
L-shaped mounting brackets 144 are preferably evenly spaced apart
from each other. However, three or more L-shaped mounting brackets
144 that are evenly spaced apart are within the scope of the
present invention.
[0028] Each L-shaped bracket 144 includes an aperture 148 in a
vertical portion 146 which is aligned with a through bore 152 in a
roller 150. A bolt 154 is positioned through the through bore 152
in the vertical portion 146 and the through bore 152 in the roller
150. A nut 156 threadably engages the bolt 154 to secure the roller
150 to the L-shaped mounting bracket 144. The bolt 154 provides a
horizontal axis for the roller 150 such that each roller 150
rotates in a vertical plane. A top point of each roller 150 engages
the bottom surface 113 of the table top 112 such that the table top
112 more easily rotates about the rotational axis 111.
Alternatively, an inwardly extending lip 160 may be attached to the
top surface 117 of the vertical side wall 119 to provide a surface
that the roller 150 contacts as the table top 112 as the rollers
150 rotate as best illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a second plurality of mounting
brackets 170 are attached to the top surface of the substantially
horizontal loop 140 where the second plurality of mounting brackets
170 include substantially horizontal plates 172, typically welded
to the loop 140. Each of the horizontal plates 172 includes an
aperture 174 and each roller 176 has an aperture 178 that is
aligned with a respective aperture 174. A bolt 180 extends through
the aligned apertures 174, 178 and is threadably secured with a nut
182. Each bolt 180 provides a vertical axis about which each roller
176 rotates in a horizontal plane thereby engaging an interior side
surface 121 of the vertical side wall 119 and preventing the table
top 112 from moving laterally with respect to the base 114.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the base 114 includes a plurality of
legs 184 that are attached to the horizontal loop 140, typically
with a weld. Typically, four evenly spaced apart legs 184 are
secured to a bottom surface of the horizontal ring 140. However, a
base 114 with three or more spaced apart legs attached to the
bottom surface of the loop 140 are within the scope of present
invention.
[0031] Typically, a plurality of braces 188 are attached to the
loop 140 and the plurality of legs 184, the braces 188 aid in
retaining each leg 184 to the loop 140 and also to provide rigidity
to the base 114. Each brace 188 preferably includes ends 190 that
are welded to the bottom surface of the horizontal loop 140 and a
middle portion 192 welded to the leg 184 a distance from the
horizontal loop 140. Additionally, the base 114 can have
attachments (not shown) at a bottom end of the legs 184 such as
wheels for moving the table or a bottom ring to provide additional
support to the base 114.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an inwardly extending lip 115
may extend from a bottom surface 123 of the substantially vertical
side wall 119 and retain the table top 112 to the base 114. When
the table top 112 is lifted, a bottom point on the vertical rollers
150 engages the inwardly extending lip 115 and retains the table
top 112 to the base 114. However, it is within the scope of the
present invention for the table top 112 to be removable from the
base 114.
[0033] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *