Abstract:
The present invention describes a knockdown table with superposed multiple planar members, where the multiple planar members are supported by multiple axially aligned columnar supports inserted into receiving cups attached to the planar members. Vertical separation of the superposed planar members is determined by the length of the columnar supports.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Knockdown tables are convenient and portable tables that can be assembled and disassembled quickly. One design comprises a base, a supporting column, and a planar member supported on the column by a cup. 
         [0002]    Multi-level shelving units and tables are a known method of increasing storage surface area in a fixed floor area. This invention combines the two in a novel manner creating a knockdown table having multiple planar members that can be easily assembled, disassembled, stored, and transported. In addition, this invention permits multiple configurations of the table, including different heights and different sizes of the planar members. 
         [0003]    Taub, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,698 describes a multi-shelved display assembly. It is a limitation of the assembly described is that the shelving must be machined, that is, holes must be drilled to accommodate the specific dimensions and shapes of the associated supporting columns. Another limitation of that design is the fact that the supporting columns are located at the corners of the shelves. This creates a “cage” structure that may impede unobstructed access to an interior shelf. Yet another limitation of this design is the necessity to have four columns supporting one shelf. These are also limitations in the invention described by Kane in U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,285. 
         [0004]    Michaelis, et al in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,017 also describe a modular dispenser and display system supported by collars enclosing a complex support comprising at least one two outer columns and an inner column, the inner column having a plurality of vertically aligned holes. 
         [0005]    Champagne, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,965 describes a multi-planar storage apparatus which has cups attached to independently rotatable annular plates. The plates are supported by ball bearings. The present invention differs from that described by Champagne first, by replacing the ball bearings with cast mounting cups having no moving parts, and second, by eliminating the cups and providing, instead, planar members that can serve multiple functions. Another difference between the present invention and that described by Champagne is that in the present invention the planar members will not easily rotate. If one is displaying related items on different shelves it may be desirable that their position remain related. For example, if one is displaying attaching devices such as screws, bolts, etc., it may be desirable to keep screws together and facing in a different direction from bolts. Alternatively, one may want to keep wood attaching devices separate from metal attaching devices. Unlike Champagne&#39;s device, the planar surfaces in this invention are not designed to swivel separately. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple level knockdown table that comprises inexpensive castings, tubes, and planar members, none of which require complex machining. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a multi-planar knockdown table system. The system has a base, and at least two axially aligned supporting columns supporting at least two planar members by means of mounting cups having sockets suitable to receive the supports. In the preferred embodiment the base is an 18 gauge nickel plated steel stamping having holes to accept means to attach a cup, the planar members are constructed of wood particulate matter (known as “particle board”) having a resin binder and a surface finish, and the cups are aluminum castings. The planar members have top and bottom planar surfaces. Although the preferred embodiment uses wood particulate members, the invention would work with other materials such as plywood or solid wood planks. In the preferred embodiment the planar members are circles between 24″ and 36″ in diameter or squares  24 ″ to 36″ on a side. 
         [0008]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention the columns are 18 gauge steel tapered (or “swaged”) at the ends, decreasing from an outside diameter of 2.25 inches to an outside diameter of 2.1 inches over a distance of 1.5 inches. The sockets of the mounting cups are tapered to fit the swage of the columns. In the preferred embodiment of a multi-planar knockdown table having 2 planar members, the lower columnar support is 25″ long and the upper support is 15″ long. In the preferred embodiment of a multiple level table having three planar members, all columnar supports are 15″ long. 
         [0009]    It would be possible to use support columns that are not swaged, and mounting cups having sockets without an internal taper. However, in the case of a non-tapered column and cup, the top edge of the column will press upon the bottom surface of the planar surface. Since the columnar edge is narrow, the surface area of the edge of the column is small, with the result that the pressure on the surface of the planar member will be large. 
         [0010]    One planar member, the “top” planar member, has a mounting cup attached to centrally to the bottom surface. There is no mounting cup attached to the top surface of the “top” member. In the preferred embodiment the cup is attached with wood screws. If the planar member is particle board and the screws are wood screws, there is no need to drill the planar member. 
         [0011]    One or more “intermediary” planar members each have two opposed mounting cups, one cup attached centrally to the top surface and one cup attached to centrally to the bottom surface. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting cups of the intermediary planar members are attached to the planar member by means of nuts and bolts inserted through holes drilled through the planar members. 
         [0012]    In the preferred embodiment, a base mounting cup is attached to the base by means of pop rivets, although it can be welded or glued. The user inserts a first supporting column into the socket of the base mounting cup. The user then places an “intermediary” planar member onto the first supporting column by inserting the socket of the bottom mounted cup of the planar member onto the columnar support. The user then inserts a second supporting column into the socket of the top mounted cup of said intermediary member. Said second supporting column receives the bottom mounted cup of either another intermediary planar member or of a “top” planar member. 
         [0013]    If a “top” planar surface is attached to the second column, the table multi-planar table is complete with two planar members. 
         [0014]    If a second “intermediary” member is wanted, the user inserts a third supporting column into the socket of the top mounting cup of the second intermediary planar member and a top member is attached to the third supporting column, creating a table with three planar members. 
         [0015]    It should be noted that the preferred embodiments comprise tables with two or three planar surfaces, but it is possible to stack more planar surfaces than three by adding additional intermediary planar members. 
         [0016]    In order to disassemble a multi-planar knockdown table, it is only necessary to withdraw the columnar supports from the sockets of the cups. This process can be performed by the average user in less than a minute. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention having two planar members supported by central axially aligned columnar supports. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an elevation drawing showing an embodiment of the invention having two planar members. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the bottom of a mounting cup. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an elevation section view of the mounting cup. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the top of a mounting cup. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of two cups attached to a planar member. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention having three planar members. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a mounting cup affixed to a floor 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a section view of a socket sunken in a floor. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a floor flange having a socket to be sunken in a floor. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of a base having an integral socket. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of a cast base having an integral socket. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a multi-planar table supported by a socket sunken in a floor. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a multi-planar table supported by a base having an integral socket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view the invention. A “top” planar members  1   a  and an “intermediary” planar member  1   b  are supported by two central axially aligned columnar support members  3   a  and  3   b  which are inserted into sockets of centrally attached mounting cups. One mounting cup,  2   d  is attached to base  4 . Another cup,  2   b  is attached to the top surface of “intermediary” planar member  1   b . Two mounting cups,  2   a  and  2   c , are not shown. 
         [0032]    It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment all mounting cups  2   a - 2   d  are identical, and the lettered sub-indicators “a” through “d” are used to specify which cup is being discussed, and not to imply that the cups differ except for their location in the table. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is an elevation of a two planar member embodiment of the invention more clearly showing the disposition of base, cups, and planar members. A mounting cup  2   d  is attached to base  4  by means of pop rivets  7 . Columnar support  3   b  fits into the socket of centrally attached mounting cup  2   d . Intermediary planar member  1   b  has two opposing mounting cups  2   b  and  2   c  attached by means of bolts  9  inserted through the planar member. In the preferred embodiment the bolts are ¼-20 size. The socket of bottom mounting cup  2   c  fits over columnar support  3   b , maintaining planar member on columnar support  3   b . Top columnar member  3   a  is inserted into the socket of mounting cup  2   b . Top planar member  1   a  has mounting cup  2   a , attached by means of wood screws  5 , which cup supports planar member  1   a  on columnar support  3   a.    
         [0034]    Workers skilled in the art will understand that the preferred embodiment uses pop rivets, screws, and bolts to attach the various cups, but that other means of attachment such as adhesives might be used. Workers skilled in the arts will understand that although the current embodiment uses a base comprising a stamping and an attached cup, it would be possible to use a base having an integral centrally located socket. Such workers will also understand that although the preferred embodiment uses a cup as the means to support the planar members on the columns, flanges can be used instead. 
         [0035]    Workers skilled in the art will also understand that the base socket cup can be affixed to the floor. They will also understand that it is possible to recess into the floor a base floor flange with socket. If the base floor flange is sunken into the floor, it is customary to cover the socket with a plate when it is desired not to have a post inserted to support a table. For example, this might be the case in a restaurant&#39;s outdoor seating area at night or in inclement weather. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the bottom of a cup showing the disposition of eight radially disposed holes  8  by which the cup may be attached to a base or planar member. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a section of a cup  2  showing the profile of a mounting cup. Visible are four tabs in the interior of the casting which serve to reinforce and strengthen the socket of the casting as well as eight protuberances on the exterior which also serve to reinforce the cup. These are part of the casting and not separate components. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the top of a cup  2  showing the radially disposed holes  8  used to attach the cup. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view showing how two cups  2  attach to a planar member  1  by means of bolts  9  inserted through holes perforating the planar member. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  shows a three level table having two intermediary planar members and a top member. In  FIG. 7 , an second intermediary planar member  1   c  rests on an third columnar support  3   c . Planar member  1   c  has mounting cup  2   f  on the bottom surface and mounting cup  2   e  on the top surface. Mounting cup  2   f  supports planar member  1   c  on columnar support  3   c  which is inserted into base socket in mounting cup  2   d.    
         [0041]    It will be obvious to workers skilled in the art that the separation between the planar members and the heights of the planar members from the floor can be varied by having columnar supports with different lengths, and that the lengths will be chosen, in part, by the number of planar members desired. Workers skilled in the arts will also understand that the planar members can be of different sizes and shapes. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  is an elevation of a base socket comprising a mounting cup  2  attached to floor  10  by means of screws  11 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  is a section view of floor flange  12  having base socket sunken in concrete  14  with cap  13  in place. There are two protrusions on the bottom of base floor flange which serve to anchor the socket into the concrete. 
         [0044]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of floor flange  12  with cap  13  in place. There are two indentations in cap  13  which can be use to rotate said cap  13  so that it will screw into, or out, of the flange. 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of a cruciform base  14  having an integral socket. Workers skilled in the art will understand that such a base is frequently cast from metal such as iron or aluminum. 
         [0046]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of said cast base  14  having an integral socket. 
         [0047]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of multi-level table in which columnar support  3   b  is inserted into socket in floor flange  12  sunken in floor. 
         [0048]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of multi-level table in which columnar support  3   b  is inserted into socket in base  14 .