Event tables

• US 6,041,722 A
• Filed: 10/08/1998
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward R. Weber
• Original Assignee: Gary Baker
• Inventors: Baker, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US09/168,284
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 108/77, 108/69, 108/66, 108/64, 108/65, 108/116, 108/117, 108/132
• US Class Current: 108/77
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 1/056 the leaves forming an outer ring
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/0911 the struts being permanently connected to top and leg or underframe and leg

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a multi faceted event table having the capability of achieving a variety of different and highly useful configurations, either in combination with one or more like tables, or standing alone, to thereby provide a single table usable in a wide variety of events, while at the same time being light weight and easily handled both in set up and break down with greatly reduced storage space compactness.

Claims

1. An event table comprising in combination:

a table top, said table top being polygonal in shape, and having a plurality of straight edges defining the perimeter thereof;

contiguous ones of said straight edge being joined at an end thereof, said table top having a longitudinal axis, and a latitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis being transverse to said latitudinal axis;

a rigid frame;

said table top being secured to said frame for selective support on a flat surface;

a plurality of pairs of leaves, said leaves being attached about the perimeter of said table top, each leaf having a straight edge and a curved edge generated about said straight edge, said curved edge extending outwardly from an end of said straight edge, and having a rounded apex at the midpoint thereof;

each leaf of a pair of said leaves being disposed in opposed relation on opposite sides of said table top;

said straight edge of each said leaf being hingeably attached to one of said straight edges of said table top;

said curved edge having its apex along either said longitudinal axis or said latitudinal axis;

a portion of the curved edge between the apex thereof and the straight edge becoming linear toward its juncture with an end of said straight edge, said leaves being individually and selectively movable between an extended position and a retracted position to define a desired table configuration.

2. The event table of claim 1 wherein said event table has a generally elliptical appearance when all of said leaves are in their extended position and viewed from above the top thereof.

3. The event table of claim 2, wherein the curvature of each said curved edge of said leaves being such that when all of said leaves are extended, the event table is symmetrical about a axis bisecting said table top.

4. The event table of claim 2, wherein said straight edge of each said leaf and said straight edge of said table to which said straight edge of said leaf is hingeably attached are disposed in a common vertical plane when said leaf is retracted.

5. The event table of claim 2, wherein the straight edge of each said leaf is attached to a straight edge of said table top by means of a hinge;

said hinge comprising a pair of hinge pins, said hinge pins being encased in an elliptical strap, said hinge pins being operatively disposed in spaced relation;

the edge of said table top being attached to one rotatably to one said hinge pin, said leaf being attached to the other of said hinge pins such that said leaf is foldable beneath said table top to its retracted position so that edge thereof is flush with the edge of said table top.

6. The event table of claim 5, wherein each said support includes at least one inner leg, said inner leg terminating in a transverse foot, said transverse foot being parallel to said table top.

7. The event table of claim 5, wherein locking means is provided for securing said inner leg relative to said support in a preselected position.

8. The event table of claim 2, wherein means is provided for securing said leaf in its extended position.

9. The event table of claim 2, wherein each of said leaves is selectively retracted or extended to provide a variety of table shapes.

10. The event table of claim 2, wherein each said support includes at least one inner leg, said inner leg terminating in a transverse foot, said transverse foot being parallel to said table top.

11. The event table of claim 2, wherein locking means is provided for securing said inner leg relative to said support in a preselected position.

12. The event table of claim 1, wherein the curvature of each said curved edge of said leaves being such that when all of said leaves are extended, the event table is symmetrical about a centerline bisecting said table top.

13. The event table of claim 1, wherein said straight edge of each said leaf and said straight edge of said table to which said straight edge of said leaf is hingeably attached are disposed in a common vertical plane when said leaf is retracted.

14. The event table of claim 1 wherein the straight edge of each said leaf is attached to a straight edge of said table top by means of a hinge;

said hinge comprising a pair of hinge pins, said hinge pins being encased in an elliptical strap, said hinge pins being operatively disposed in spaced relation;

the edge of said table top being attached to one rotatably attached to one said hinge pin, said leaf being attached to the other of said hinge pins such that said leaf is foldable beneath said table top to its retracted position so that edge thereof is flush with the edge of said table top.

15. The event table of claim 1, wherein means is provided for securing said leaf in its extended position.

16. The event table of claim 1, wherein the leaf is secured in its retracted position.

17. The event table of claim 1, wherein each of said leaves is selectively retracted or extended to provide a variety of table shapes.

18. The event table of claim 1, having supports, said supports being slidably secured to said frame, and slidable away from each other to move into a support position for holding said tabletop above a surface upon which it rests, and movable toward one another to nest in said frame.

19. The event table of claim 1, having supports, said supports being slideably secured to said frame, and slidable toward each other to move into a support position for holding said table top above a surface upon which it rests, and movable away from one another to nest in said frame.

20. The event table of claim 19, wherein said inner leg is telescoped within said support for coplanar movement relative thereto.

21. The event table of claim 1, wherein each said support includes at least one inner leg, said inner leg terminating in a transverse foot, said transverse foot being parallel to said table top.

22. The event table of claim 21, wherein said inner leg is incrementally extensible between a higher position and a lower position to vary the height of said table top.

23. The event table of claim 21, wherein locking means is provided for securing said inner leg relative to said support in a preselected position.

24. The event table of claim 1, wherein said table top is formed with a series of indentations therein, said indentations resulting from removal of material to lighten said table.

25. The event table of claim 24, wherein said indentations are formed on the underside of said table top.

26. A train of event tables wherein each said event table comprises:

a table top, said table top being rectangular in shape, and having four straight edges defining the perimeter thereof;

a rigid frame;

said table top being secured to said frame;

a plurality of leaves, each leaf having a straight edge, and a curved edge generated about said straight edge;

said straight edge of each said leaf being hingeably attached on one of said straight edges of said table top;

the curvature of each said curved edge being such that when all of said leaves are extended, the event table is symmetrical about a centerline bisecting said table top;

supports, said supports being slideably secured to said frame, and slidable away from each other to move into a support position for holding said tabletop above a surface upon which it rests, and movable toward one another to nest in said frame;

locking means for selectively interconnecting contiguous ones of said tables in a predetermined sequence to effect a train of uniquely connected event tables.

27. The event table of claim 26, wherein said locking means includes blocks, said blocks being attached to said tabletop;

channels disposed in said frame, said channels being transverse to the edge of said table top, said channels being sized to receive, in nesting relation, said blocks;

said channels being axially aligned when contiguous tables are placed edge to edge, and said blocks engageable with contiguous channels of said tables to interlock said tables in said train.

28. The event table of claim 26, wherein said blocks are attached to said table by a flexible line.

29. An event table comprising in combination:

a table top, said table top being polygonal in shape, and having a plurality of straight edges defining the perimeter thereof;

contiguous ones of said straight edge being joined at an end thereof, said table top having a longitudinal axis and a latitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis being transverse to said latitudinal axis;

a rigid frame;

said table top being secured to said frame for selective support on a flat surface;

a plurality of pairs of leaves, said leaves being attached about the perimeter of said table top, each leaf having a straight edge and a curved edge generated about said straight edge, said curved edge extending outwardly from an end of said straight edge and having a rounded apex at the midpoint thereof;

each leaf of a pair of said leaves being disposed in opposed relation on opposite sides of said table top;

said straight edge of each said leaf being hingeably attached to one of said straight edges of said table top;

said curved edge having its apex along either said longitudinal axis, or said latitudinal axis;

a portion of the curved edge between the apex thereof, and the straight edge becoming linear toward its juncture with an end of said straight edge, said linear portions of adjacent leaves defining a plane;

said leaves being individually and selectively movable between an extended position and a retracted position to define a desired table configuration.