U.S. patent application number 12/047288 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for containment systems for folding leg tables.
Invention is credited to Michael Smith, Rebecca Smith.
Application Number | 20080251524 12/047288 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39852784 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080251524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Michael ; et
al. |
October 16, 2008 |
Containment Systems for Folding Leg Tables
Abstract
Containment systems for folding leg tables are disclosed. In one
embodiment, a containment system for a folding leg table includes
first and second side panels attached along a lower portion of a
perimeter edge. An upper portion of the perimeter edge is
selectively openable by a coupling device. The first and second
side panels define an interior region therebetween that is
configured to receive the folding leg table. Elongated carrying
handles are disposed transversely across the lower portion of the
perimeter edge, each carrying handle having a first end coupled to
the first side panel and a second end coupled to the second side
panel. The carrying handles are configured about the perimeter edge
in the manner of a stirrup.
Inventors: |
Smith; Michael; (Nine Mile
Falls, WA) ; Smith; Rebecca; (Nine Mile Falls,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEE & HAYES, PLLC
421 W. RIVERSIDE AVE, STE 500
SPOKANE
WA
99201
US
|
Family ID: |
39852784 |
Appl. No.: |
12/047288 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60911550 |
Apr 13, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/752 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/752 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A containment system for a folding leg table, comprising: first
and second side panels attached along a lower portion of a
perimeter edge, and selectively openable along an upper portion of
the perimeter edge by a coupling device, the first and second side
panels defining an interior region therebetween that is configured
to receive the folding leg table; and elongated carrying handles
disposed transversely across the lower portion of the perimeter
edge, each carrying handle having a first end coupled to the first
side panel and a second end coupled to the second side panel, the
carrying handles being configured about the perimeter edge in the
manner of a stirrup.
2. The containment system of claim 1, wherein the first and second
side panels comprise first and second oval-shaped panels.
3. The containment system of claim 1, wherein the coupling device
comprises at least one of a zipper and a hook and loop fastening
system.
4. The containment system of claim 1, wherein the first side panel
includes a flap extending inwardly from a first end of the first
side panel, the flap being detachable from a remaining portion of
the first side panel and foldable to provide access to the interior
region.
5. The containment system of claim 4, wherein the flap comprises an
approximately wedge-shaped flap.
6. The containment system of claim 1, further comprising an
elongated perimeter piece coupled between the first and second
panels along at least a portion of the perimeter edge, the interior
region being bounded by the first and second panels and the
perimeter piece.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/911,550 filed
Apr. 13, 2007, which provisional application is incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the present disclosure relates to containers or
bags for storing equipment, and more specifically, to containment
systems for folding leg tables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is often desirable to transport tables from one location
to another. For example, poker tables are often moved from one
location to another depending on the availability of the players or
the facility. Understandably, the owners of such tables desire to
protect their equipment from scratches and other damage during
transit and storage.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure teaches containment systems for
tables having folding legs, such as poker tables. Embodiments of
containments systems in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure may advantageously reduce scratches and other
damage that might otherwise occur to such tables during transit and
storage.
[0005] In one embodiment, a containment system for a folding leg
table includes first and second side panels attached along a lower
portion of a perimeter edge. An upper portion of the perimeter edge
is selectively openable by a coupling device. The first and second
side panels define an interior region therebetween that is
configured to receive the folding leg table. Elongated carrying
handles are disposed transversely across the lower portion of the
perimeter edge, each carrying handle having a first end coupled to
the first side panel and a second end coupled to the second side
panel. The carrying handles are configured about the perimeter edge
in the manner of a stirrup.
[0006] The features, functions, and advantages that have been
discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments of
the present invention or may be combined in yet other embodiments
further details of which can be seen with reference to the
following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of systems in accordance with the teachings of
the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference
to the following drawings.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a containment system
for a table with folding legs in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the containment system of
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a containment system
for a table in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the containment system of
FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a first side (or top) elevational view of a
containment system for a table in accordance with yet another
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a second side (or bottom) elevational view of the
containment system of FIG. 5 in a closed position; and
[0014] FIG. 7 is a second side (or bottom) elevational view of the
containment system of FIG. 5 in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Containment systems for folding leg tables are disclosed in
the following description. Many specific details of certain
embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following
description and in FIGS. 1-7 to provide a thorough understanding of
such embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand
that the invention may have additional embodiments, or that the
invention may be practiced without several of the details described
in the following description.
Containment System Embodiments
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a containment system
100 for a table with folding legs in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the containment
system 100 of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the containment system
(or table bag) 100 includes a pair of lateral (or side) surfaces
102 coupled along a perimeter thereof. In some embodiments, the
lateral surfaces 102 are formed of cloth, such as duck cloth, or
other suitable material. Along a first portion 104 of the perimeter
(e.g. a lower portion as shown in FIG. 1), the lateral surfaces 102
may be sewn or otherwise permanently attached. Along a second
portion 106 of the perimeter (e.g. an upper portion as shown in
FIG. 1), the lateral surfaces 102 may be selectively coupled by a
coupling device 108, such as a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, or
other suitable attachment device. The lateral surfaces 102
cooperatively form an interior region into which a folding leg
table may be inserted through the second portion 106. Carrying
straps 110 are coupled to the lateral surfaces 102 to enable the
containment system 100 to be easily held during transit.
[0017] In some embodiments, the table bag 100 may be a form fitting
oval bag particularly configured for portable oval poker tables.
The coupling device (e.g. zipper) 108 runs along the outer edge of
the bag 100 from one end of the oval lateral surfaces 102 to the
other so that a user can slide the bag 100 over a table while it is
upright. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there may be two carrying
straps 110 positioned on the bag 100 (e.g. proximate the ends of
the bag). In some embodiments, the carrying straps 110 may be
configured like stirrups that are sewn around the bottom edge 104
of the bag 100 and up both sides 102. The advantage of the stirrup
style carrying straps 110 is strength and support so that the seams
of the bag 100 will last longer.
[0018] Embodiments of containments systems in accordance with the
present disclosure may provide advantages over the prior art. For
example, such containment systems may reduce scratches and other
damage that might otherwise occur to such tables during transit and
storage. The carrying straps 110 may also facilitate the transit of
poker tables and improve the durability of the containment
system.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a containment system
200 for a table in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the containment system
200 of FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the containment system 200 is
made with three separate pieces of fabric (or other suitable
material). More specifically, the table bag 200 includes two sides
202 of approximately the same oval dimension, and an elongated
perimeter piece 203 that connects the two sides 202 that goes
completely around the outside edge (including the first or
"permanently coupled" portion 204 and the second or "selectively
coupled" portion 206 of the perimeter). The bag 200 also has an
attachment device (e.g. zipper) 208 that runs along the outer edge
of the bag 200 from one end of the oval to the other. In this
embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 4, the attachment device 208 is
actually attached to the perimeter piece 203 that runs around the
outside edge of the bag 200. Two carrying straps 210 are coupled to
the sides 202. In some embodiments, the carrying straps 210 are
configured to act like stirrups that are sewn around the bottom
edge 204 of the bag 200 and up both sides 202. As mentioned above,
one advantage of the stirrup style carrying straps 210 is for
strength and support so that the seams will last longer. Another
advantage of this design is extra room for sliding the bag 200 over
a table.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a first side (or top) of a
containment system 300 for a table in accordance with yet another
embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 6 and 7 are elevational views of
a second side (or bottom) of the containment system 300 of FIG. 5
in closed and opened positions 320, 322, respectively. In this
embodiment, the containment system (or table bag) 300 includes a
top panel 302 (FIG. 5) and a bottom panel 303 (FIG. 6). As in the
previously described embodiments, the top and bottom panels are
attached along a first portion 306 of their common perimeter.
[0021] In this embodiment, a flap 305 is attached to a second
portion 308 of the perimeter of the top panel 302 (FIG. 6). As
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flap 305 may be an approximately
wedge-shaped flap. The flap 305 is coupled to the bottom panel 303
by a coupling device (e.g. a zipper) 312 along an access edge 314
of the flap 305. Carrying straps 310 are coupled to the top panel
302, bottom panel 303, and flap 305 to enable the containment
system 300 to be easily held during transit, and may be configured
like stirrups as described above.
[0022] In operation, the table bag 300 allows easy access to an
interior compartment 330 adapted to receive a table with folding
legs. More specifically, with the flap 305 initially in the closed
position 320, the coupling device 312 is actuated to detach the
access edge 314 of the flap 305 from the bottom panel 303. The flap
305 is then folded back into the opened position 322 (FIG. 7),
allowing the table bag 300 to easily slide onto the folded table
(not shown) from one end to the other, past the table legs. The
flap 305 can then be returned to the closed position 320 and the
coupling device 312 can be actuated to re-attach the access edge
314 of the flap 305 to the bottom panel 303. Again, the table bag
300 can be transported via the carrying straps 310, which may be
configured like stirrups that are sewn around the bottom edge of
the bag 300 and up both sides.
[0023] Manner and Process for Making
[0024] It will be appreciated that the above-disclosed embodiments
of containment systems for folding leg tables may be fabricated in
a variety of ways known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. An
exemplary manufacturing process is described below as an example of
a possible, non-limiting procedure for making a device in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0025] In a particular embodiment, start with a suitable quantity
of material (e.g. about 61/2 yards of duck cloth). Cut this so that
you end up with two pieces (e.g. approximately 31/4 yards long).
Measure and cut the dimensions for both sides of the bag. Serge or
otherwise bond the bottom edges of the sides of the bag from one
oval edge to the other. Open up the sewn pieces and sew the straps
(e.g. 11/2'' webbing) on the outside portions at both ends (the
middle of the straps will approximately fall on the sewn edge that
was just sewn). The next step will be to sew the coupling device
(e.g. zipper) on the top half of the bag. One side will have a
suitable (e.g. 11/2'') protective fold underneath to protect the
vinyl from the zipper. Once the zipper is sewn into place, turn the
bag inside out again and serge the rounded edges. The bag is
complete now and can be used to protect a table.
[0026] Manner and Process for Using
[0027] An exemplary, non-limiting process for using embodiments of
containment systems in accordance with the present disclosure will
now be provided. An appropriate use for an embodiment of the
invention is to completely conceal a nice portable oval poker table
with folding legs. The carrying straps are sewn in place to make it
easy for two people to transport the table without taking the bag
off.
[0028] In some embodiments, a table bag in accordance with the
present disclosure may be placed on a table with five easy steps:
1) unzip the bag; 2) slide the bag over the table (while still on
its legs) until the sewn edge of the bag hits the edge of the
table; 3) tip the table on its side (the non-zipper edge); 4) pull
the zipper edge of bag up; and 5) zip the bag closed.
[0029] While specific embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, as noted above, many changes can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be
limited by the disclosure of the specific embodiments set forth
above. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by
reference to the claims that follow.
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