Personal table

• US 6,912,961 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2003
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Original Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Inventors: Winter, David C., Ashby, Kent, Strong, L. Curtis, Smith, Brandon, Nye, Stephen F., Jones, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US10/340,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20030164121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 108/115, 108/116, 108/118, 108/119, 108/120, 108/132, 108/161, 248/423, 248/157, 248/164, 248/439, 248/168, 248/188.1, 248/188.2, 248/188.6
• US Class Current: 108/118
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 3/02 with foldable cross legs adjustable for varying height of tops A47B9/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 9/16 with means for, or adapted for, inclining the legs of the table for varying the height of the top, e.g. with adjustable cross legs

Abstract

A personal table is provided having a table top supported by a support assembly. The table top is preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic and the support assembly preferably includes a first leg and a second leg that are pivotally connected. The legs desirably have a generally X-shaped configuration when the legs are placed in an upright position and the legs can be collapsed into a storage position. Each of the legs may include a lower portion, a body portion and an upper portion that is preferably selectively connected to the table top. The legs, for example, can be connected to the table top by inserting the upper portions of the legs into leg receiving recess formed in the table top. The leg receiving recesses are preferably integrally formed in the bottom surface of the table top as part of a one-piece construction. Desirably, a plurality of leg receiving recesses are formed in the bottom surface of the table top and the legs can be selectively attached to the leg receiving recesses in order to vary the height of the table.

Claims

1. A personal table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including an upper surface, a lower surface that is spaced apart from the upper surface, a first side and a second side;

a hollow interior portion formed during the blow-molding process and disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the table top;

a generally downwardly extending lip that is integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the lip including a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process;

at least two leg receiving recesses integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary one-piece construction, each of the leg receiving recesses at least partially disposed in the generally downwardly extending lip;

a first leg including a body portion and an upper portion, the upper portion of the first leg being sized and configured to be selectively received and retained within one of the leg receiving recesses disposed towards the first side of the table top; and

a second leg including a body portion and an upper portion, the upper portion of the second leg being sized and configured to be selectively received and retained within another of the leg receiving recesses disposed towards the second side of the table top, the first leg and second leg being pivotally interconnected and having a generally X-shaped configuration when the first leg and the second leg are received and retained within the at least two leg receiving recesses.

2. The personal table as in claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the first leg can be selectively removed from one of the leg receiving recesses and received within another of the leg receiving recesses to allow a height of the personal table to be adjusted.

3. The personal table as in claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining member positioned adjacent to each of the leg receiving recesses and intearally formed in the table top as part of the unitary one-piece construction, the retaining member being sized and configured to retain the upper portion of a leg within the leg receiving recess.

4. The personal table as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of depressions integrally formed in the lower surface of the table top as part of the unitary one-piece construction, the depressions extending from the lower surface of the table top towards the upper surface of the table top.

5. The personal table as in claim 4, further comprising an end of each of the plurality of depressions that is, sized and configured to contact the upper surface of the table top.

6. The personal table as in claim 1, further comprising a channel integrally formed in the lower surface of the table top as part of the unitary one-piece construction, the channel being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first leg and the second leg when the first leg and second leg are in a collapsed position.

7. The personal table as in claim 1, wherein the body portion of the first leg and the body portion of the second leg are offset towards an edge of the table top when the first leg and the second leg are attached to the table top.

8. The personal table as in claim 1, further comprising an elongated lower portion connected to the first leg and an elongated lower portion connected to the second leg, the elongated lower portion of the first leg and the elongated lower portion of the second leg each having a length that is less than a width of the table top.

9. A personal table that has a height which is adjustable, the personal table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a lower surface and an upper surface;

a first leg receiving recess, a second leg receiving recess and a third leg receiving recess integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary one-piece construction;

a single support assembly including only two legs;

a first leg of the single support assembly including an upper portion that is sized and configured to be connected to the first leg receiving recess;

a second leg of the single support assembly including an upper portion that is sized and configured to be connected to the second leg receiving recess and the third leg receiving recess;

wherein the second leg can be selectively disconnected from the second leg receiving recess and selectively connected to the third receiving recess to change the height of the personal table.

10. The personal table as in claim 9, wherein the first leg and the second leg are pivotally connected in a generally X-shaped configuration.

11. The personal table as in claim 9, further comprising an opening formed in a side wall of the table top;

and further comprising a first position in which the first leg and the second leg extend generally away from the table top and a second position in which the first leg and the second leg are positioned generally proximate the table top;

at least a portion of the single support assembly being received and retained within the opening in the side wall when the legs are in the second position.

12. The personal table as in claim 9, further comprising a channel formed in the lower surface of the table top;

and further comprising a first position in which the first leg and the second leg extend generally away from the table top and a second position in which the first leg and the second leg are positioned generally proximate the table top, at least a portion of the single support assembly being positioned within the channel when the first leg and the second leg are in the second position.

13. The personal table as in claim 12, further comprising one or more tabs disposed proximate the channel, the tabs being sized and configured to retain the first leg and the second leg in the channel in the second position.

14. A personal table that has a height which is adjustable, the personal table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a generally hollow interior portion formed during the blow-molding process, a lower surface, and an upper surface that is spaced apart from the lower surface; and

a single support assembly that is sized and configured to be selectively connected to the table top to allow the height of the table to be adjusted the support assembly including a single pair of legs with a first leg and a second leg that are pivotally connected, the first leg and second leg being movable between a first position in which the first leg and the second leg have a generally X-shaped configuration and a second position in which the first leg and the second leg are in a collapsed configuration.

15. The personal table as in claim 14, further comprising at least two leg receiving recesses integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary one-piece construction, the first leg including an upper portion that is sized and configured to be selectively received and retained within one of the leg receiving recesses, and the second leg including an upper portion that is sized and configured to be selectively received and retained within another of the leg receiving recesses.

16. The personal table as in claim 15, wherein the first leg can be selectively removed from one of the leg receiving recesses and received within another of the leg receiving recesses to allow the height of the personal table to be adjusted.

17. The personal table as in claim 15, further comprising a plurality of depressions integrally formed in the lower surface of the table top as part of a one-piece construction, the depressions extending from the lower surface of the table top towards the upper surface of the table top, at least one of the plurality of depressions being formed in the leg receiving recesses.

18. The personal table as in claim 17, further comprising an end of each of the plurality of depressions that is sized and configured to contact the upper surface of the table top.

19. The personal table as in claim 14, further comprising at least one retaining member positioned adjacent to each of the leg receiving recesses and integrally formed in the table top as part of the unitary one-piece construction, the retaining member being sized and configured to retain a leg within a leg receiving recess.

20. The personal table as in claim 14, further comprising a channel formed in the lower surface of the table top, the channel being sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the first leg and at least a portion of the second leg when the first leg and second leg are in the second position.

21. The personal table as in claim 14, wherein the first leg includes an elongated body portion and the second leg includes an elongated body portion, the elongated body portion of the first leg and the elongated body portion of the second leg being offset towards an edge of the table top.

22. The personal table as in claim 14, further comprising a first double hinge member that pivotally attaches the first leg to the table top and a second double hinge member that pivotally attaches the second leg to the table top, the first double hinge member and the second double hinge member allowing the height of the table to be adjusted.

23. The personal table as in claim 14, wherein the first leg is permanently connected to the table top and the second leg is selectively connected to the table top.

24. The personal table as in claim 14, further comprising a ratchet member that is sized and configured to move the first leg and the second leg between the first position and the second position.

25. A personal table that is intended to be used by a single user and has a height which is adjustable, the personal table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including an upper surface, a lower surface and a generally hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process;

at least three leg receiving recesses integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary one-piece construction; and

a single support assembly that is sized and configured to support the table top above a surface, the support assembly including a single pair of legs, the support assembly comprising;

a first leg including an elongated upper portion and an elongated body portion; and

a second leg that is pivotally connected to the first leg, the second leg including an elongated upper portion and an elongated body portion;

wherein the upper portion of the first leg is sized and configured to be connected to one of the leg receiving recesses and the upper portion of the second leg is sized and configured to be connected to another of the leg receiving recesses; and

wherein the upper portion of the first leg is capable of being disconnected from one of the leg receiving recesses and connected to another of the leg receiving recesses in order to change the height of the table.

26. A personal table that has a height which is adjustable, the personal table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including an upper surface, a lower surface and a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process;

a single support assembly coupled to the table top, the support assembly including a single pair of legs, the support assembly comprising;

a first leg having a first end and a second end;

an elongated attachment member connected to the first end of the first leg;

an elongated foot connected to the second end of the first leg;

a second leg having a first end and a second end, the first leg and a second leg being pivotably connected such that the support assembly has a substantially X-shaped configuration in an extended position;

an elongated attachment member connected to the first end of the second leg; and

an elongated foot connected to the second end of the second leg; and

a height adjustment mechanism for selectively increasing or decreasing a distance between the first end of the first leg and the first end of the second leg in order to increase or decrease the height of the personal table.

27. The personal table as in claim 26, further comprising a channel integrally formed in the lower surface of the table top as part of a unitary one-piece construction, the channel being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first leg and the second leg when the first leg and second leg are in a collapsed position.

28. The personal table as in claim 26, wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of leg receiving recesses integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary one-piece construction;

and wherein the elongated attachment member of the first leg and the elongated attachment member of the second leg are sized and configured to be selectably connected to the leg receiving recesses to allow the height of the table to be adjusted.

29. The personal table as in claim 26, wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes a ratchet member that is sized and configured to move the first leg and the second leg between a first position and a second position.

30. The personal table as in claim 26, wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes a first double hinge member that pivotally attaches the first leg to the table top and a second double hinge member that pivotally attaches the second leg to the table top.

31. A personal table that is sized and configured to be used by a single person and the table being adjustable in height relative to a support surface, the personal table comprising:

a blow-molded plastic table top including an upper surface, a lower surface spaced apart from the upper surface, a side wall, and a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process;

a single leg assembly that is selectively connected to the table top, the single leg assembly including a single pair of legs that are pivotally connected in a generally X-shaped configuration, the single pair of legs being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position; and

a plurality of receiving portions integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the receiving portions being sized and configured to interchangeably receive and retain a portion of the leg assembly in a generally fixed position relative to the table top to allow the height of the personal table to be adjusted.

32. The personal table as in claim 31, further comprising an opening in the side wall of the table top, the opening being sized and configured to allow at least a portion of the leg assembly to extend through the opening when the legs are in the collapsed position.

33. The personal table as in claim 32, wherein the opening allows the legs to be generally positioned parallel and adjacent to the lower surface of the table top when the legs are in the collapsed position.

34. The personal table as in claim 32, wherein the opening is sized and configured to receive and retain the legs in a snap fit configuration when the legs are in the collapsed position.

35. The personal table as in claim 32, wherein the opening is sized and configured to facilitate storage of the table by allowing the legs to be positioned generally parallel and adjacent to the lower surface of the table top when the legs are in the collapsed position.

36. The personal table as in claim 31, wherein the side wall forms at least a portion of an outer edge of the table top.

37. The personal table as in claim 31, further comprising one or more retaining members that are sized and configured to retain the portion of the leg assembly within the receiving portions, the retaining members including a generally hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process.

38. The personal table as in claim 31, wherein the portion of the leg assembly is received and retained within the receiving portions by a snap fit configuration.

39. The personal table as in claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of receiving portions includes a hollow interior portion that is formed as a unitary portion of the hollow interior portion of the table top during the blow-molding process.

40. The personal table as in claim 31, wherein the table top includes a plurality of depressions that extend from the lower surface of the table top to the upper surface of the table top.

41. The personal table as in claim 40, wherein at least one of the depressions is at least partially disposed within one of the receiving portions.

42. The personal table as in claim 31, wherein each of the legs are generally disposed towards an outer edge of the table top to facilitate a person sitting at the personal table.

43. The personal table as in claim 31, wherein each of the legs are selectively connected to the table top to allow the height of the table to be adjusted.

44. The personal table as in claim 31, wherein each of the legs include an upper elongated attachment member that is sized and configured to be received and retained within the receiving portions;

and wherein each of the legs include an elongated foot that is sized and configured to support the table when the legs are in the extended position.

45. The personal table as in claim 44, wherein each of the elongated support members include an upper portion, a center portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions of the elongated support members being spaced apart, the center portions of the elongated support members being pivotally connected.

46. A personal table that is sized and configured to be used by a single person and the table being adjustable in height relative to a support surface, the personal table comprising:

a blow-molded plastic table top including an upper surface, a lower surface that is spaced apart from the upper surface, a side wall, and a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process;

a single leg assembly that is selectively connected to the table top, the leg assembly including a single pair of legs that are pivotally connected in a generally X-shaped configuration;

the single pair of legs being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position; and

an opening in the side wall of the table top that is sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the leg assembly when the legs are in the collapsed position.

47. The personal table as in claim 46, wherein the opening allows the legs to be disposed generally parallel and adjacent to the lower surface of the table top when the legs are in the collapsed position.

48. The personal table as in claim 46, wherein the opening is sized and configured to receive and retain the legs in a snap fit configuration when the legs are in the collapsed position.

49. The personal table as in claim 46, wherein the opening is sized and configured to facilitate stacking of the table by allowing the legs to be positioned generally parallel and adjacent to the lower surface of the table top when the legs are in the collapsed position.

50. The personal table as in claim 46, further comprising a plurality of receiving portions integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the receiving portions being sized and configured to selectively receive and retain at least a portion of the leg assembly in a generally fixed position relative to the table top.

51. The personal table as in claim 50, further comprising one or more retaining members that are sized and configured to retain the portion of the leg assembly within the receiving portions, the retaining members including a generally hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process.

52. The personal table as in claim 50, wherein the portion of the leg assembly is retained within the receiving portions by a snap fit configuration.

53. The personal table as in claim 50, wherein each of the plurality of receiving portions include a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process.

54. The personal table as in claim 50, wherein each of the legs include an upper elongated attachment member that is sized and configured to be received and retained within the receiving portions;

and wherein each of the legs include an elongated foot that is sized and configured to support the table when the legs are in the extended position.

55. The personal table as in claim 54, wherein each of the legs include an elongated body with two elongated support members.

56. The personal table as in claim 46, wherein the table top includes a plurality of depressions that extend from the lower surface of the table top to the upper surface of the table top.

57. The personal table as in claim 56, wherein at least one of the depressions is at least partially disposed within one of a plurality of receiving portions integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the receiving portions being sized and configured to selectively receive and retain at least a portion of the leg assembly in a generally fixed position relative to the table top.

58. The personal table as in claim 46, wherein each of the legs are generally disposed towards an outer edge of the table top to facilitate a person sitting at the personal table.

59. The personal table as in claim 46, wherein one of the legs is permanently attached to the table top.

60. The personal table as in claim 46, wherein each of the legs are selectively connected to the table top to allow the height of the table to be adjusted.

61. The personal table as in claim 46, wherein each of the plurality of receiving portions includes a pair of generally aligned receiving portions that are sized and configured to receive and retain opposing ends of an upper portion of the legs.

62. A personal table that is sized and configured to be used by a single person, the table being adjustable in height relative to a support surface, the personal table comprising:

a plastic table top including an upper surface, a lower surface that is spaced apart from the upper surface, a side wall, and a hollow interior portion;

a single leg assembly that is selectively connected to the table top, the leg assembly including a single pair of legs that are pivotally connected in a generally X-shaped configuration;

the legs being selectively movable between an extended position and a collapsed position; and

a plurality of receiving portions integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the receiving portions being sized and configured to interchangeably receive and retain at least a portion of the leg assembly in a generally fixed position relative to the table top.

63. The personal table as in claim 62, wherein each of the plurality of receiving portions include a hollow interior portion that is a unitary portion of the hollow interior portion of the table top.

64. The personal table as in claim 62, further comprising one or more retaining members that are sized and configured to retain the portion of the leg assembly within the receiving portions, the retaining members including a generally hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process.

65. The personal table as in claim 62, wherein the portion of the leg assembly is received and retained within the receiving members by a snap fit configuration.

66. The personal table as in claim 62, further comprising an opening in the side wall of the table top, the opening being sized and configured to allow at least a portion of the leg assembly to extend through the opening when the legs are in the collapsed position.

67. The personal table as in claim 62, further comprising an opening in the side wall of the table top that allows the legs to be generally positioned parallel and adjacent to the lower surface of the table top when the legs are in the collapsed position.

68. The personal table as in claim 62, further comprising an opening in the side wall of the table top that is sized and configured to receive and retain the legs in a snap fit configuration when the legs are in the collapsed position.

69. The personal table as in claim 62, further comprising an opening in the side wall of the table top that is sized and configured to facilitate stacking of the table by allowing the legs to be positioned generally parallel and adjacent to the lower surface of the table top when the legs are in the collapsed position.

70. The personal table as in claim 62, wherein the side wall forms at least a portion of an outer edge of the table top.

71. The personal table as in claim 62, further comprising a plurality of depressions formed in the table top, at least one of the depressions being at least partially disposed within one of the plurality of receiving portions.

72. The personal table as in claim 62, wherein each of the legs includes an upper elongated attachment member that is sized and configured to be received and retained within the receiving portions;

and wherein each of the legs include an elongated foot that is sized and configured to support the table when the legs are in the extended position.

73. The personal table as in claim 72, wherein each of the elongated support members include an upper portion, a center portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions of the elongated support members being spaced apart, the center portions of the elongated support members being pivotally connected.

74. The personal table as in claim 62, wherein each of the legs are generally disposed towards an edge of the table top to facilitate a person sitting at the personal table.

75. The personal table as in claim 62, wherein each of the legs are selectively connected to the table top to allow the height of the table to be adjusted.

76. The personal table as in claim 62, wherein each of the plurality of receiving portions includes a pair of generally aligned receiving portions that are sized and configured to receive and retain opposing ends of an upper portion of the legs.

77. A table comprising:

a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic, the table top including a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process;

a plurality of leg receiving portions integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece construction; and

a support assembly including a single pair of legs with a first leg that is pivotally connected to a second leg in a generally X-shaped configuration, the single pair of legs being movable between an extended position and a collapsed position relative to the table top, the first leg having a generally C-shaped configuration including an elongated attachment portion that is sized and configured to be received and retained within one of the plurality of leg receiving portions, an elongated body portion that is disposed towards an end of the attachment portion, and an elongated foot that is sized and configured to support the table when the single pair of legs are in the extended position, the second leg having a generally C-shaped configuration including an elongated attachment portion that is sized and configured to be received and retained within one of the plurality of leg receiving portions, an elongated body portion that is disposed towards an end of the attachment portion, and an elongated foot that is sized and configured to support the table when the single pair of legs are in the extended position.

78. The table as in claim 77, wherein at least one of the single pair of legs is capable of being connected to another of the plurality of leg receiving portions to allow a height of the table to be adjusted.

79. The table as in claim 78, wherein at least one of the plurality of leg receiving portions is disposed towards one end of the table top and wherein at least one of the plurality of leg receiving portions is disposed towards an opposing end of the table top.

80. The table as in claim 77, wherein one of the legs is permanently connected to one of the plurality of leg receiving portions and the other of the legs is selectively connected to one of the plurality of leg receiving portions.

81. The table as in claim 77, wherein the table top has a width and the elongated attachment portion of the first leg and the elongated attachment portion of the second leg have a length that is greater than one-half a width of the table top and less than the width of the table top.

82. The table as in claim 81, further comprising a sidewall integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece construction, the sidewall including a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process;

and further comprising an opening in the sidewall of the table top that is sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the support assembly in the collapsed position to facilitate storage of the table.

83. The table as in claim 77, further comprising a recessed portion integrally formed in a lower portion of the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece construction, the recessed portion being sized and configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the support assembly in the collapsed position to facilitate storage of the table.

84. The table as in claim 83, further comprising a plurality of depressions integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, at least one of the plurality of depressions at least being partially disposed within the recessed portion of the table top.

85. The table as in claim 77, further comprising a plurality of depressions integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, at least one of the plurality of depressions at least being partially disposed within the opening in the sidewall of the table top.

86. The table as in claim 77, further comprising a plurality of depressions integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, at least one of the plurality of depressions at least being partially disposed within the plurality of leg receiving portions.

87. The table as in claim 77, wherein each of the plurality of leg receiving portions include a pair of generally aligned leg receiving portions, and each pair of generally aligned receiving portions are sized and configured to receive and retain the elongated attachment portion of the first leg or the elongated attachment portion of the second leg.

88. The table as in claim 87, wherein each pair of the generally aligned receiving portions are disposed towards opposing sides of the table top.

89. The table as in claim 87, further comprising a sidewall integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece construction, the sidewall including a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process, each pair of the generally aligned receiving portions being at least partially disposed in the sidewall.

90. The table as in claim 87, further comprising a sidewall integrally formed in the table top as part of a unitary, one-piece construction, the sidewall including a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process, each of the pair of the generally aligned receiving portions includes two generally aligned openings disposed in the sidewall.

91. The table as in claim 87, further comprising a first end and a second end of the elongated attachment portion, the first end of the elongated attachment portion being sized and configured to be disposed within one of the pair of generally aligned receiving portions and the second end of the elongated attachment portion being sized and configured to be disposed within the other of the pair of generally aligned receiving portions.

92. The table as in claim 77, wherein the plurality of receiving portions include openings formed in the table top.

93. The table as in claim 77, wherein the elongated body portion of the first leg includes two elongated members and the elongated body of the second leg includes two elongated members.