U.S. patent number 3,866,913 [Application Number 05/330,175] was granted by the patent office on 1975-02-18 for convertible table tennis table assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Coleco Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gary A. Gerber, Melvin Zimmers.
United States Patent |
3,866,913 |
Zimmers , et al. |
February 18, 1975 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
CONVERTIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A convertible game table assembly has an elongated generally
rectangular table member pivotally mounted on a base with spaced
sidewalls for movement between a horizontal table position and a
substantially vertical storage position. Means for aligning and
coupling the table member of the assembly with the table member of
a similar game table assembly is provided, including connecting
means movably mounted on the table member for movement between a
storage position between the ends of the table member and a
coupling position extending beyond an end of the table member when
the table member is in the horizontal table position for coupling
with the table member of an associated similar game table assembly.
Two similar game table assembles having their table members pivoted
into horizontal position may have their ends coupled together to
provide a full size game table, or they may have their table
members perpendicularly disposed and abutting to provide a playback
table. The bases include shelves for an attractive bookcase
assembly with the table member pivoted into vertical position, and
the forward surface in the vertical position may have a cork
covering or a blackboard coating to provide a multiuse
structure.
Inventors: |
Zimmers; Melvin (Westport,
CT), Gerber; Gary A. (Weston, CT) |
Assignee: |
Coleco Industries, Inc.
(Hartford, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
23288621 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/330,175 |
Filed: |
February 7, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/435; 108/185;
108/189; 108/64; 108/11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
25/003 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
25/00 (20060101); A63b 067/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/30
;108/6,11,13,15,64,65,114,69,17,4,112,36,48 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,361,402 |
|
Apr 1964 |
|
FR |
|
1,473,327 |
|
Feb 1967 |
|
FR |
|
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Brown; T.
Claims
1. A convertible game table assembly adapted for coupling with a
second game table assembly of similar construction comprising:
a. a base having a pair of spaced sidewalls;
b. an elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and
sides;
c. means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to
pivotably support said table member in both a horizontal table
position and vertical storage position on said sidewalls for
movement about an axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the
sides of said table member; and
d. means for aligning and coupling said table member of said game
table assembly with the table member of a similar game table
assembly including coupling means movably mounted on said table
member for movement between a fully retracted storage position and
an outwardly extended coupling position extending beyond an end of
said table member when said table member is in said horizontal
table position in which said couping means is adapted for coupling
with a table member of an associated similar game
2. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said
aligning and coupling means includes releasable latching means for
securing said
3. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said base
includes rolling means on the bottom thereof spaced to opposite
sides of
4. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 including a
second convertible game table assembly having:
a second base having a pair of spaced sidewalls;
a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends
said sides;
means connecting said sidewalls to said table sides to pivotably
support said second table member in both a horizontal table
position and a vertical storage position for movement about an axis
perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said second table
member; and
coupling means on said second table member, said first mentioned
and second table members being horizontally disposed with ends
thereof in aligned abutting engagement, and said coupling means of
said table members being interengaged to couple said table members,
whereby a full size table
5. The convertible game table assembly of claim 4 wherein said
coupling means includes an aligning pin projecting from the edge of
one of said table members at the abutting end and an aperture in
the edge of the abutting end of the other table member in which
said pin is seated to
6. The convertible game table assembly of claim 4 includes
releasable latching means for securing said coupling means in the
coupling position
7. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 including a
second convertible game table assembly having:
a second base having spaced sidewalls;
a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends
and sides;
means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to
pivotably support said second table member in both a horizontal
table position and a vertical storage position said sidewalls of
said second base for movement about an axis perpendicular to said
sidewalls and the sides of said second table member between a
horizontal table position and a substantially vertical storage
position; and
coupling means on said second table member for coupling said second
table member to said first mentioned table member in the horizontal
position thereof, said first mentioned and second table members
being substantially perpendicularly disposed relative to each other
with said second table member being in said vertical position
thereof and said first mentioned table member being in the
horizontal position thereof and abutting said vertical second table
member between the ends thereof, whereby said vertical second table
member has its playing surface positioned to serve as a backboard
for the playing surface of said horizontal first mentioned
8. The convertible game table assembly of claim 7 wherein said
pivotal support means of said vertical second table member is
spaced from the vertical centerline of the base thereof towards the
end of the sidewalls disposed towards said horizontal first
mentioned table table member, wherein said horizontal first
mentioned table member abuts said vertical table member adjacent
its pivotal axis and wherein said base of said vertical second
table member includes stop means for limiting pivotal movement of
the lower end of said vertical second table member away from
9. The convertible game table assembly of claim 8 wherein said base
of said horizontal table member includes horizontal support means
on said sidewalls supporting said table member in said horizontal
position and disposed to the side of the vertical centerline of
said base spaced from said vertical table member, wherein said
table members are disposed between the sidewalls of said bases and
wherein said horizontal table member abuts said vertical table
member between the sidewalls of the base
10. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said
sidewalls include horizontal support means for supporting said
table member when
11. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said
pivotal support means is disposed to one side of the vertical
centerline of said
12. The convertible game table assemly of claim 1 wherein said base
includes stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said table
member in
13. The convertible game table assembly of claim 12 wherein said
stop means
14. The convertible game table assembly of claim 13 wherein said
base includes a plurality of shelves extending horizontally between
said
15. The convertible game table assembly of claim 1 wherein said
table member has its lower surface in said horizontal position
formed from a pregnable material for use of said lower surface as a
board for mounting
16. A convertible game table assembly adapted for coupling with a
second game table assembly of similar construction comprising:
a. a base having a pair of spaced sidewalls;
b. an elongated generally rectangular table member having ends and
sides;
c. means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to
pivotably support said table member in both a horizontal table
position and vertical storage position for movement about an axis
perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said table member;
and
d. means for aligning and coupling said table member of said game
table assembly with the table member of a similar game table
assembly including a pair of channel members extending
longitudinally along the side edges of said table member and at
least one connecting member slidably seated in one of said channel
members for movement from a storage position fully within said one
channel member to a coupling position extending partially
17. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 wherein said
aligning and coupling means includes releasable latching means for
securing said
18. The convertible game table assembly of claim 17 wherein said
releasable latching means comprises a latch pin seated in said one
channel member and said connecting member has a plurality of
apertures therein in which said
19. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 wherein said
aligning and coupling means includes one of said connecting members
in each of said
20. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 wherein said
channel members extend along the longitudinal edges of said table
member and
21. The convertible game table assembly of claim 20 additionally
including stiffening members adjacent to the edges of said table
member at the transverse ends thereof and wherein said channel
members and stiffening members are secured together to provide a
relatively rigid frame for said
22. The convertible game table assembly of claim 21 wherein said
channel members are configured to seat the edge of said table
member and to
23. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 including a
second convertible game table assembly having:
a second base having a pair of spaced sidewalls;
a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends
and sides;
means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to
pivotably support said second table member in both a horizontal
table position and vertical storage position for movement about an
axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said table
member; and
means for aligning and coupling said second table member including
a pair of channel members extending longitudinally along the side
edges of said second table member;
said first mentioned and second table members being horizontally
disposed with their ends in abutting engagement, said pair of
channel members of said second table member being aligned with the
channel members of said first mentioned table member, said
connecting members being partially seated in and releasably
coupling said aligned channel members;
whereby a full sized table surface is provided by said aligned and
coupled
24. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 wherein said
aligning and coupling means includes releasable latching means for
securing said
25. The convertible game table assembly of claim 24 wherein said
releasable latching means comprises latch pins seated in each of
said channel members and said connecting members have a plurality
of apertures in which said
26. The convertible game table assembly of claim 24 wherein each of
said channel members seats a single one of said latch pins and each
of said
27. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 wherein an
aligning pin on said first mentioned table member is seated in an
aperture in said
28. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 additionally
including stiffening members extending along the edges of said
table members at the transverse ends thereof, and wherein a pair of
said channel members and a pair of said stiffening members are
secured together about each of said
29. The convertible game table assembly of claim 23 wherein said
sidewalls of said bases include horizontal support means for
supporting said table
30. The convertible game table assembly of claim 16 including a
second convertible game table assembly having:
a second base having a pair of spaced sidewalls;
a second elongated generally rectangular table member having ends
and sides;
means connecting said sidewalls to said table member sides to
pivotally support and said second table member in both a horizontal
table position and vertical storage position for movement about an
axis perpendicular to said sidewalls and the sides of said second
table member, and
means for aligning and coupling said second table member to said
first mentioned table member in the horizontal position thereof
including a pair of channel members extending longitudinally of
said second table member;
said first mentioned and second table members being substantially
perpendicularly disposed relative to each other with said second
table member being in said vertical position and the other of said
table members being in said horizontal position and said first
mentioned table member abutting said second vertical table member
between the ends thereof, whereby said vertical second table member
has its playing surface positioned to serve as a backboard for the
playing surface of said first
31. The convertible game table assembly of claim 30 wherein said
pivotal support means of said vertical second table member is
spaced from the vertical centerline of the base thereof and
adjacent the end of the sidewalls disposed towards said first
mentioned horizontal table member, wherein said horizontal table
member abuts said vertical table member adjacent its pivotal axis
and wherein said base of said vertical table member includes stop
means for limiting pivotal movement of the lower end
32. The convertible game table assembly of claim 30 wherein said
base of said horizontal table member includes horizontal support
means on said sidewalls of said base of said horizontal table
member supporting said horizontal table member and disposed to the
side of the vertical centerline of said sidewalls of said base
spaced from said vertical table
33. The convertible game table assembly of claim 30 wherein said
table members are disposed between said sidewalls of said bases and
wherein said horizontal table member abuts said vertical table
member between said sidewalls of the base thereof to maintain
horizontal alignment of said table members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various game table structures presently exist for billiards, table
tennis, bumper pool and the like. Generally such structures occupy
a considerable amount of floor space when not in actual use and
there has been an increasing tendency to develop game table
structures which may be readily disassembled for storage, or which
are convertible for multiple use, or which may be collapsed to a
unit occupying less floor space. Among such convertible game table
structures are units in which a table member has a billiard table
surface and a book case surface and it is pivotably supported upon
a desk base to utilize either surface. Another type involves a
table assembly with reversible or interchangeable tops to provide
different game or utilitarian functions.
Table tennis tables have been designed which will readily fold or
otherwise collapse for storage because of the relatively large
amount of space which they occupy, and a number of structures exist
providing a removable tennis table top for a billiard table or the
like. Still other structures provide a pivotal portion for the
table tennis table which will pivot into a substantially vertical
position to serve as a playback surface to return balls impinging
thereon.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel
convertible game table assembly providing an elongated playing
surface and requiring for storage only the limited vertical height
present in the average home.
It is also an object to provide such a convertible game table
assembly in which the storage position provides a highly
utilitarian and attractive structure which doess not require
removal of items stored on the shelves thereof for utilization as a
game table.
Another object is to provide such a game table assembly which will
provide a playback surface or a full size game table surface.
A further object is to provide such a game table assembly which is
relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, which is rugged
and attractive in appearance and which will provide a sturdy game
table playing surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects can be
readily attained in a convertible game table assembly which
includes a table unit having a base having a pair of space
sidewalls, an elongated generally rectangular table member, and
means pivotably supporting the table member on the sidewalls for
movement about an axis perpendicular to the sidewalls between a
horizontal table position and a substantially vertical storage
position. Also provided is means for aligning and coupling the
table member of the game table assembly with the table member of a
similar game table assembly including coupling means movably
mounted on the table member for movement between a storage position
between the ends of the table member and a coupling position
extending beyond an end of the table member when the table member
is in the horizontal table position for coupling with the table
member of an associated similar game table assembly. The aligning
and coupling means may also include releasable latching means for
securing the connecting means in at least the coupling position.
The base may also include rolling means on the bottom thereof
spaced to opposite side of the pivotal axis.
In a "normal playing" embodiment of the invention the convertible
game table assembly includes a second table unit with coupling
means provided on the second table member. The first mentioned and
second table members are horizontally disposed with the ends
thereof in aligned abutting engagement and the coupling means of
the table members being interengaged to couple the table members,
whereby a full size table surface is provided. The coupling means
may also include an aligning pin projecting from the edge of one of
the table members at the abutting end and an aperture in the edge
of the abutting end of the other table member in which the pin is
seated to effect alignment. Releasable latching means may also be
provided for securing the coupling means in the coupling position
thereof.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
aligning and coupling means include a pair of channel members
extending longitudinally of the table member and at least one
connecting member slidably seated in one of the channel members for
movement from a storage position fully within such channel member
to a coupling position extending beyond one end of the table
member. The aligning and coupling means may also include releasable
latching means for securing the connecting member in at least the
coupling position, the releasable latching means itself comprising
a latch pin seated in such channel member and the connecting member
having a plurality of apertures therein in which the latch pin is
engageable. The aligning and coupling means may also provide a
connecting member in each of the channel members and an aligning
pin projecting from the edge of one table member at the
aforementioned one end for engagement in an aperture in the edge of
a cooperating table member.
For normal table game playing usage, the convertible game table
assembly additionally includes a second table unit and the first
mentioned and second table members being horizontally disposed with
their ends in abutting engagement. Means for aligning and coupling
the second table member includes a pair of channel members
extending longitudnally of the second table member, which are
aligned with the pair of channel members of the first mentioned
table members. The connecting members are partially seated in the
aligned channel members and releasably couple the table members to
provide a full sized table surface.
Preferably each of the longitudinally extending channel members
seat a single latch pin and each of the connecting members has
three apertures in which the latch pin is engageable. Stiffening
members extending along the edges of the table members at the
transverse ends thereof are also provided, a pair of the channel
members and a pair of the stiffening members being secured together
about each of the table members to provide a relatively rigid frame
therefor. The stiffening members extending along the edges of the
table members at the non-abutting transverse ends may be channel
members. In this case the longitudinal and transverse channel
members are configured to seat edges of the table members and to
substantially cover the surface of the seated edges so that each of
the non-abutting edges of the aligned and coupled table members are
substantially covered by the channel members.
In this manner it can be seen that the game unit components of the
game table assembly enable convenient storage offering the
utilitarian function of bookcases or the like, bulletin boards,
blackboards, etc. They may be pivoted readily into horizontal
position for coupling to form a full length table surface, and one
unit may be maintained vertical to provide a playback surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two convertible game table units
aligned and coupled to provide a full table tennis table
surface;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front view to an enlarged scale of a
convertible game table unit of FIG. 1 and with the net removed;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 3--3 of FIG.
2, with the table member being shown in phantom line in the
vertical position;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view to an enlarged scale
of a pair of table members and the aligning and coupling means for
the convertible game assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view to a greatly enlarged scale
taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale taken
along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the latch pin in a
retracted position;
FIG. 8 is a partially exploded fragmentary perspective view to
enlarged scale of the stiffening, aligning and coupling means of
the table units, the table members having been omitted for the
purpose of clarity of illustration;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view to a greatly enlarged scale
of the abutting ends of the table members showing the aligning pin
of one table unit and the cooperating aperture of the other table
unit;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view to an enlarged scale of a corner
of the table member adjacent the player end with the table member
removed for clarity of illustration; and
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the two convertible game table
units arranged in a playback position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular to FIGS.
1 through 3 thereof, therein illustrated is a convertible game
table assembly comprised of two coupled game table units generally
designated by the numerals 10 and 11, and each comprised of a base
generally designated by the numeral 12, a table member generally
designated by the numeral 14, pivot support means generally
designated by the numeral 16 supporting the table member 14 on the
base 12, and aligning and coupling means generally designated by
the numeral 18 for aligning and coupling the table units. The
structure of the units 10, 11 are substantially identical except as
hereinafter noted. A net 20 extends across the width of the
abutting table members 14 to define therewith a table tennis
game.
THE BASE
The base 12 is comprised of a spaced pair of upstanding rectangular
sidewalls 30, 32 and top and bottom horizontal shelves 34 and 36,
respectively, disposed therebetween. The top and bottom shelves 34,
36 are secured by fasteners (not shown) at each end to one of the
sidewalls 30, 32 upon horizontally extending top and bottom shelf
support blocks 38 and 40 mounted on the interior surfaces of
sidewalls 30, 32. The bottom shelf support blocks 40 extend the
entire width of the sidewalls 30, 32 and seat depending casters 42
at either end to permit the base 12 to be easily moved about a
floor; for stability, the casters 42 are well spaced to opposite
sides of the pivotable support means 16. To present a finished
front for the base 12, moldings 44 are affixed to the front edges
of the shelf support blocks 38, 40.
The bottom shelf 36 extends from the front of the base 12 backwards
to a point short of, but adjacent to, an imaginary vertical line
running through the pivot support means 16 and top shelf 34 and top
shelf support blocks 38 are even narrower, all for purposes to be
discussed hereinafter in detail. A horizontal support block 46 is
firmly secured to the interior surface of each sidewall 30, 32,
spaced slightly below the level of the pivot support means 16 and
disposed between the pivot support means 16 and the front of the
sidewalls 30, 32.
THE TABLE MEMBER
The table member 14 has a player end portion designated A and an
abutting end portion designated B. The table member 14 is mounted
on the interior of the sidewalls 30, 32 for movement about an axis
perpendicular to the sidewalls between a horizontal or table
position and a substantially vertical or storage position. The
width of the table member 14 is slightly less than the width of the
space between the interior surfaces of the sidewalls 30, 32 to
permit the table member 14 to be pivotably mounted therebetween,
while the length of the table member 14 is approximately half the
length of the desired game table assembly. As more clearly seen in
FIGS. 4-7, the table member 14 of the table unit 10 is a double ply
laminate mounted so that, when the table member 14 is in the
horizontal or table position, there is an upper surface provided by
relatively hard, wood-like layer 68 suitable for use as part of a
table tennis and a bottom surface provided by a relatively
pregnable layer 70 of cork or the like suitable for use as a
bulletin board, dart board and the like. The other table member 14
has its lower surface treated with a washable coating for use as a
blackboard.
ALIGNING AND COUPLING MEANS
The longitudinal sides of the table member 14 are supported and
affixed to the base 12 for pivotable movement thereon by means of a
pair of opposed channel members generally designated by the numeral
80. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 8, each channel member 80 is of
complex configuration with an outwardly facing channel portion 82
at the lower end thereof, a lip portion 84 extending upwardly at
the outer end of the channel portion 82 and a flange portion 86
extending inwardly from the upper, inner end of the channel portion
82. The table member 14 seats upon the flange portion 86 and abuts
against the lip portion 84 which partially conceals its edge, and
fasteners 88 extend through the flange portion 86 into the table
member 14 so as to secure it firmly thereto.
The channel portion 82 is disposed underneath the table member 14
and its interior channel is easily accessible through the spacing
between the legs thereof. A channel member 80 also extends across
the player end A of the table member 14, and the abutting ends of
the channel members 80 are bevelled to provide a miter joint as
seen in FIG. 10. Right angle brackets 90 and pop rivets 92 secure
the channel members 80 together to provide a firm assembly. The
abutting or net end B of the table member 14 is provided with an
inwardly facing right angle stiffening member 94 which is similarly
secured to the table member 14 and connected at its ends to the
longitudinally extending channel members 80 by right angle brackets
96 and pop rivets 92. In this manner, the longitudinal channel
members 80, the transverse channel member 80 and the transverse
stiffening member 94 provide a rugged, closed frame for the table
member 14 to rigidity it and to permit distribution of stresses
acting thereon. In addition to acting as stiffening members, the
channel members 80 also serve to seat the lower portion of the side
edges and player end A of the table member 14, thereby
substantially covering the surface of the seated edges to provide
an attractive appearance for the table member 14 as shown in FIGS.
1 and 4.
Referring now to FIG. 9, alignment of the convertible game table
units 10, 11 is facilitated by means of an aligning pin assembly
provided by the aligning pin 104 projecting from the abutting end B
of the table member 14 through an aperture in the stiffening member
94 upon which it is mounted at about the center line thereof. The
stiffening member 94 of the table unit 11 has a cooperating
aperture 106 adjacent its center line which is configured in
dimension to snugly receive the aligning pin 104.
Slidably seated within the channel portions 82 of the channel
members 80 extending along the longitudinal or side edges of the
table member 14 are elongated connecting or coupling members 48 of
generally reverse C-shaped cross section. The coupling members 48
have two spaced circular apertures 50 and an elongated aperture 52
for purposes to be described more fully hereinafter and each is
slidable within the channel member 80 between a retracted or
storage position in which it is fully disposed within the channel
member 80 of one of the game units 10, 11, and a coupling position
in which approximately half the length thereof projects beyond the
abutting end B of a table unit in which it is seated and into the
channel portion 82 of the cooperating table unit. These elongated
coupling members 48 thus securely couple the two side edges of the
table units 10, 11 to maintain and align and rigidify the
structure.
To maintain the coupling members 48 in either the retracted or
coupling position, each channel member 80 has mounted in the
channel portion 82 thereof a latch pin assembly generally
designated by the numeral 54 and each comprised of a locking pin
56, a pair of retaining rings 58, 60 on opposite sides of the web
of the channel portion 82 and a spring washer 62 which is disposed
between the outer retaining ring 60 and the web. The spring washer
62 biases the locking pin 56 outwardly into the channel portion 82
so that it may engage in one of the apertures 50, 52 in the
coupling member 48 to secure it in one of the two positions.
The circular apertures 50 snugly seat the projecting head of the
latch pin 56 so as to firmly lock it in position whereas the
elongated aperture 52 provides a degree of longitudinal play for
the latch pin 56 during movement of the coupling members 48 from
one position to another. More particularly, the latch pin assembly
54 seated in one of the circular apertures 50 is retracted by
gripping the knurled inner end of the latch pin 56, and the
coupling member 48 is then displaced longitudinally to the extent
permitted by the elongated aperture 52. At this point, the latch
pin assembly 54 once seated in the circular aperture 50 is slid
along the surface of the coupling member 48. The user may then
retract the latch pin 56 of the latch pin assembly 54 which is
engaged in the elongated aperture 52 to permit full movement of the
coupling member 48 until the latch pins 56 snap into the apertures
50, 52 in the alternate position of the coupling member 48. Thus,
the coupling members 48 are releasably engaged in either the
storage position or the coupling position to prevent inadvertent
movement thereof. As will be appreciated, the coupling members 48
may be stored in the channel portions 82 of either of the table
units 10, 11 as only one pair of coupling members is required for
each pair of table units 10, 11.
PIVOTAL SUPPORT MEANS
The pivotal support means 16 is conveniently provided by bolts 22
extending through apertures in the sidewalls 30, 32 of the bses 12
and through the channel portions 82 of the channel members 80.
Nylon bushings (not shown) are provided in each sidewall 30, 32 to
facilitate pivotal action and minimize wear, and the bolts 22 are
secured in position after assembly of the table members 14 upon the
bases 12 by wing nuts 24. As clearly seen in FIG. 3, the pivotal
support means 16 is disposed at a distance from the vertical center
line of the base 12 adjacent the abutting end B of the table member
14 and at a point spaced above the support blocks 46. Thus, the
table member 14 may be pivoted about the pivotal support means 16
from the horizontal position shown in full line in FIG. 3 to the
vertical storage position shown in phantom line in FIG. 3. Movement
substantially beyond the vertical position is precluded by abutment
of the table member 14 against the bottom shelf 36. This off-center
spacing of the pivotal support means 16 will thus orient the table
member 14 adjacent the rearward portion of the base 12 in the
vertical storage position making the shelves 34, 36 fully
accessible for utilization.
In the horizontal position of the table member 14, the player end
portion A thereof is supported upon the support blocks 46 to
prevent collapse or further movement in that direction.
OPERATION
In its storage position, the convertible game table assembly is
maintained with the table members 14 of the units 10, 11 in a
substantially vertical position, the connecting members 48 being
secured in a retracted position within channel members 80 by the
latch pin assemblies 54 passing through apertures 50 and 52. The
relatively pregnable cork layer 70 is accessible from the front of
the base 12 and is available for use as a bulletin board, dart
receiving surface or the like, with the rear edge of the bottom
shelf 36 acting as a stop to preclude pivotal motion of the table
member 14 from its substantially vertical position in response to
pressure applied to the portion of the table member 14 extending
above the pivot support means 16. As indicated hereinbefore, one
table unit may have a blackboard surface. The units 10, 11 may be
stored back-to-back, side-to-side or even at remote locations to
make use of the available floor space. The shelves 34, 36 of the
base 12 may be utilized for bookcases, storage areas and the
like.
To provide a full sized table game playing surface, the two units
10, 11 are placed in approximate juxtaposition, and the table
members 14 are easily pivoted to the horizontal position where they
rest on horizontal support blocks 46 in a relatively stable
orientation.
The units 10, 11 are then moved to align the abutting ends B of the
table members 14 and the aligning pin 104 of table unit 10 enters
the aperture 106 of table unit 11. Once aligning pin 104 is engaged
in aperture 106, the channel members 80 and 80 are automatically
aligned. Thus, the user may next reach under the apron, pull on
knurled handle of a latch pin 56 to the retracted position and
thereby disengage its head from the circular aperture 50 so that
coupling member 48 is free for longitudinal movement along the
channel member 80. The coupling member 48 is then conveniently
moved by a finger inserted into the channel portion 82 and caused
to slide horizontally towards the end B until the aperture 50 is no
longer aligned with the latch pin 56, at which point the latch pin
56 may be released so that its head will bear on the surface of the
coupling member 48 until aperture 52 is aligned therewith.
The latch pin 56 of the other table unit is then retracted and
movement of coupling member 48 to the fully extended position is
continued, at which point the elongated aperture 52 is aligned with
the latch pin 56 and its head will automatically and securely
engage in an aperture 50. The latch pin 56 is then released and, if
the table members 14, 14 are correctly aligned and abutting and the
coupling member 48 is extended as fully as possible with the latch
pin 56 abutting the rear end of elongated aperture 52, the latch
pin 56 of the associated table unit will automatically and securely
engage in a circular aperture 50.
The couping member 48 on the other side of the units 10, 11 is then
similarly moved to its extended position and locked therein. The
resultant combination provides a full size game table surface
completely enclosed by an attractive, edge-concealing apron formed
by channel members 80 with the coupling members 48 securing the
channel members 80 in abutting end-to-end relationship. As a result
of this continuous metal apron construction, the tables may be
leaned upon and even sat upon without resultant misalignment or
separation.
To separate the units 10, 11 previously set up as an end-to-end
table combination, the latch pin assemblies are similarly
disengaged to permit sliding of the coupling members 48 to a
storage position within a channel member 80 of one of the units.
Downward pressure on the table end B thereafter causes the table
member 14 to swing to its substantially vertical position with
bottom shelf 36 blocking the travel path of the end B to preclude
excessive deviation from the vertical in the direction of the
swing.
It is a feature of the present invention that the units 10, 11 may
also be placed in a playback position to enable the user to
practice his shots, much as a tennis player practices against a
backboard. Referring now to FIG. 11, the table member 14 of game
table unit 10 is in the horizontal or playing position while the
table member 14 of the game table unit 11 is in the substantially
vertical or storage position, the net end B of table member 14
being in abutting relationship against the playing surface of the
table member 14 of unit 11 which serves as the backboard. While the
connecting members 48 are in the retracted positions and there is
actually nothing connecting the game unitss 10, 11 beyond the
abutment of table member end B against surface 68 between the
sidewalls 30, 32 of game unit 11, orientation of the components is
essentially stable. The playing end A is precluded from a downward
pivotal movement by the horizontal support blocks 46 and the end B
is precluded from side-to-side motion relative to the other unit 11
by the entrapment between the sidewalls 30, 32 thereof. The other
forces acting on the combination result from the action of the ball
against the vertical end A and the horizontal end B and such forces
are ordinarily insufficient to effect movement of the relatively
massive table members involved. Accordingly, the table members tend
to retain their relatively perpendicular orientation characteristic
of the "playback" combination.
To provide an attractive trim and a relatively rigid frame for the
table member 14, the channel members 80 and the stiffening member
94 are formed of extruded aluminum which combines attractiveness
with strength. Because of the stresses to which they are subjected,
the coupling members 48 and the latch pins 56 are preferably formed
of steel to provide additional strength. The table or playing
surface is formed of material such as a woodlike particle board for
use as a table tennis table surface, and the other surface is
preferably formed of a relatively pregnable material such as cork
for use as a bulletin board or provided with an attractive coating
permitting its functioning as a blackboard. The shelves, shelf
supports and sidewalls of the base member are conveniently formed
of wood with plastic molding or trim provided for decoration as
desired.
While the table member structure has been shown and described as a
laminate providing a half-length table tennis surface on one side
and a corklike surface on the other side, clearly the table member
may be so formed and configured as to provide any half-length table
game surface on one side and any diferent and useful surface on the
other side.
In addition to the coupling and aligning means specifically
illustrated, other types may be employed including pivoted bars
which are engaged upon one table member and pivotable into
engagement with a cooperating latch on the other table member.
Coupling members may be slidably seated upon support brackets of
other than channel configuration, and other arrangements of latch
pins may be employed.
If so desired, the table members can be locked in the vertical
position by latch means on the base members and the assembly may
also include means for latching the table members in the playback
position although this has not been found to be necessary.
Thus, it can be seen from the foregoing description and drawings
that the present invention provides a novel convertible game table
assembly especially useful for elongated table games and that the
height of each unit in its storage position is substantially only
half that of the full table game surface length so as to permit
vertical storage in the average room found in a home. The base of
each game table assembly occupies little floor space and is
relatively compact because it need support only one-half of the
total game surface. The bases, which are in fixed relative position
when the table members are aligned and coupled, may be stored
remotely from one another when the table members are in the storage
position and in locations having relatively low ceilings. The
assembly is of durable construction and attractive appearance and
relatively inexpensive and simple to manufacture and yet provides a
sturdy structure.
* * * * *