Abstract:
A wall table device includes a platform for supporting items atop a wall coupled to two stabilizing members extending downward on either side of the wall. The stabilizing members may be positioned to accommodate walls of varying thicknesses.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to tables, and more specifically, to a device and method for providing a table surface atop a wall. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Balconies typically are enclosed by a low wall for is safety and privacy and often tend to be small. Although small, balconies frequently tend to be used as a gathering place during social events. Access to sunshine, fresh air, and providing a location for outdoor grilling are just a few of the many features offered by balconies. 
     Commonly, balconies do not provide enough space to allow people to entertain as effectively as they desire. An outdoor grill, several chairs, and a few friends will often fill a balcony to capacity, leaving no room for a table to position food, beverages, and the like. 
     As a result, often people will use the top surface of the balcony wall to support items. The wall top offers support at both a convenient height and location for either standing or sitting. Use of the wall top in this manner effectively increases usable balcony space. Unfortunately, balcony walls tend to be relatively narrow, and positioning of items such as beverages or plates balanced atop the wall is often precarious, posing a real danger to passerbys and property beneath the balcony. 
     A safer option for supporting items is to simply place a table on the balcony. Although providing a secure support surface and eliminating the danger of objects falling off the wall, tables clutter and reduce the usable balcony space that might otherwise be enjoyed by guests. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a table device and method that provides all of the benefits presented above with none of the drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a table device securely positionable atop a wall. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a table device that is securely positionable atop walls of varying thicknesses. 
     The above objectives are achieved in a wall table device and method therefor. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a device for providing a support surface atop a wall is disclosed. It includes a platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first stabilizing member rigidly attached to the bottom surface of the platform, and a second stabilizing member rigidly attached to the bottom surface of the platform. The first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member constrain a movement of the platform when the platform is positioned atop a wall with the first stabilizing member proximate a first side of the wall and the second stabilizing member proximate a second side of the wall. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a support surface atop a wall is disclosed. It includes the steps of providing a first stabilizing member, providing a second stabilizing member, providing a plurality of threaded fasteners, and providing a platform having a top surface and a bottom surface and defining a plurality of bores extending between the top surface of the platform and the bottom surface of the platform. The method also includes the steps of inserting at least one of the plurality of threaded fasteners through the first stabilizing member and through at least one of the plurality of bores to couple the first stabilizing member to the bottom surface of the platform, aligning the second stabilizing member with at least two of the plurality of bores so that the first stabilizing member being positioned a predetermined distance from the second stabilizing member, attaching the second stabilizing member to the bottom surface of the platform by inserting threaded fasteners through the bores being aligned with the second stabilizing member and into the second stabilizing member, and positioning the platform atop a wall so that the first stabilizing member being proximate a first side of the wall and the second stabilizing member being proximate a second side of the wall. 
     The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall table device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a wall table device showing a plurality of bores as well as stabilizing members and braces in dashed lines in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view of a wall table device showing attachment of braces to a support member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a wall table device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a brace of a wall table device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the figures and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a wall table device  10  is depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , device  10  provides a support surface atop a wall  12 . Device  10  has a platform  14  having a top surface  16  and a bottom surface  18 . A first stabilizing member  20  is rigidly attached to bottom surface  18  of platform  14 . A second stabilizing member  22  is rigidly attached to bottom surface  18  of platform  14 . Members  20  and  22  constrain a movement of platform  14  atop wall  12  when platform  14  is positioned so that member  20  is proximate a first side of wall  12  and member  22  is proximate a second side of wall  12 . 
     Positioning device  10  atop a wall provides a stable surface for supporting items. For example, when used on a balcony wall, device  12  effectively increases the useable area of the balcony by extending over and outward beyond wall  12 . In addition, items placed on device  12  are more secure than items balanced solely on the top of wall  12 . However, it should be clearly understood that device  10  need not be used for balconies, and instead may be used for any purpose requiring a support surface atop a wall. For example, device  10  may provide a stable surface to assist in construction, masonry, painting, or the like. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , top surface  16  of platform  14  is substantially planar for providing a flat support surface. However, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that top surface  16  not be substantially planar, as long as device  10  is capable of supporting items. For example, platform  14  may define one or more recesses, partitions, compartments, raised edges, or the like (not shown) to secure, separate, or organize items supported by device  10 . 
     Members  20  and  22  are depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3  as having substantially planar portion  24  for contacting a side of wall  12 . By having planar portions  24  on either side of wall  12  device  10  is prevented from falling off wall  12  due to an unbalanced load upon surface  16 . It is not necessary that members  20  and  22  maintain continual contact with wall  12 , as long as members  20  and  22  are sufficiently close to wall  12  to establish contact before device  10  becomes unstable. It should be clearly understood, however, that one or both members  20  and  22  need not have planar portion  24 , as long as members  20  and  22  constrain a movement of device  10  from on top of wall  12 . For example, members  20  and  22  may comprise a single leg extending downward, an angled rod, a pincer or clamp, or the like. 
     Preferably, braces  26  are attached to bottom surface  18  of platform  14  and to members  20  and  22  to rigidly hold members  20  and  22  in place.  FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the present invention showing the attachment of braces  26  to member  20  by inserting threaded fasteners  28  through bores  30  defined by member  20  and into brace  26 .  FIG. 5  depicts a side view of brace  26  defining two bores  30  for attaching brace  26  to member  20  and one bore  30  for attaching brace  26  to platform  14  with threaded fasteners  28 . 
     Although braces  26  are depicted as attached to members  20  and  22  and also to platform  14  via threaded fasteners, it should be clearly understood that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that braces  26  instead be attached instead with nails, clamps, adhesives, magnetics, hook and loop material, or the like, or any combination thereof, as long as brace  26  remains rigidly attached. Furthermore, although the illustrations depict two braces  26  for each member  20  and  22  providing additional strength to device  10 , it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that device  10  not have two braces  26  for each member, or not have any braces  26  at all, as long as members  20  and  22  are attached to platform  14  with sufficient strength to support a desired load. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , platform  14  defines bores  32  extending between top surface  16  and bottom surface  18 . Bores  32  are dimensioned so that threaded fasteners  28  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be inserted through bores  32  to couple members  20  and  22  as well as braces  26  to platform  14 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , bores  32  are positioned to permit coupling members  20  and  22  so that member  20  is separated at one of a first predetermined distance  40 , a second predetermined distance  42 , and a third predetermined distance  44  from member  22 . In addition, bores  32  are positioned for coupling braces  36  to platform  14  when members  20  and  22  are separated at any of first distance  40 , second distance  42 , and third distance  44 . 
     The positioning of bores  32  allowing members  20  and  22  to be substantially symmetrically separated at any of distances  40 ,  42 , and  44  permits device  10  to be adjusted for multiple wall widths. It has been determined that distances of approximately 2.75″, 7.25″, and 9.25″ allow device  10  to be used on a majority of walls  12  of standard construction. In addition, although a symmetric positioning of members  20  and  22  result in a separation of members  20  and  22  at one of three predetermined distances  40 ,  42 , and  44 , a non-symmetric positioning of members  20  and  22  allows up to nine additional separation distances so that an even greater range of wall widths may be accommodated by device  10 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, device  10  is installed by inserting at least one threaded fastener  28  through member  20  and through at least one bore  32  to couple member  20  to bottom surface  18  of platform  14 . Member  22  is aligned with at least two bores  32  so that member  20  is positioned a predetermined distance from member  22 . Member  22  is attached bottom surface  18  of platform  14  by inserting threaded fasteners  28  through bores  32  aligned with member  22  and into member  22 . Platform  14  is positioned atop wall  12  so that member  20  is proximate a first side of wall  12  and said member  22  is proximate a second side of wall  12 . 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form, and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.