Abstract:
An adjustable, portable, personal table system for one person that holds a plate and a drink container. More specifically, the invention is directed to an adjustable, portable, personal table system fashioned with a wire base, plate holder and cup holder components, a central tubular stanchion, and a securing component connected to said stanchion for engaging a ground surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application relates to and claims priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60/177,224 filed on Jan. 21, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to outdoor grilling, picnicking and casual meal consumption where conventional table facilities are either not available or undesirable. More specifically, the invention is directed to a portable table for one person for casual dining.  
           [0003]    Grilling out has become very popular for backyard cookouts, grilling at the beach, tailgate parties at ball games, auto races, etc. No matter where people gather for a cook out, one problem is consistent, there are either inadequate or no table facilities available. The only current resolution to the problem is to carry portable tables and chairs to the picnic site. A difficulty with this is that most passenger vehicles have limited size and space accommodations for transporting bulky items. Carrying large items also limits the remaining available space for basic necessities such as a cooler, picnic basket, etc.  
           [0004]    Another important factor is safety. Tables, chairs and other bulky items protruding from the trunks of vehicles, held in by ropes, bungy cords, or the like, present a danger to the occupants and to other motorists. Such items can block driver vision or fall into the path of another vehicle.  
           [0005]    An inconvenience associated with the increasing popularity of outdoor grilling and picnicking is eating from a paper plate while standing and balancing a cup on any available surface. In addition, some paper plates are quite flexible which exacerbate the balancing problem. Campers traveling in motor homes or other types of RV&#39;s also find that the complete lack or shortage of outdoor table facilities requires that they balance a plate on their lap and place their cup wherever they can. It would therefore be highly desirable to provide an individual means for safely and securely holding a paper or plastic plate and a cup simultaneously for such occasions.  
           [0006]    If picnic food is served buffet style on a single table or a row of tables, it is awkward to handle a paper plate and a cup at the same time. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system where a cup and paper plate could be retained in one hand so that it would be possible for a user to serve themselves from open dishes.  
           [0007]    In addition, people gathered at home for a reunion or Super Bowl game need more table surface than the typical home provides for dining. Again, guests have no choice but to sit or stand wherever possible and juggle their plate and cup as best they can while eating.  
           [0008]    Still further, many adults and children like to eat while casually sitting in a family room environment such as on a couch or on the floor while they watch television or a video. Conventional portable tables are inconvenient to set up or too flimsy to provide a stable system to hold a plate and a cup. Moreover, conventional tray tables are not vertically adjustable to accommodate a person sitting on a couch or chair and also a child that might want to sit on the floor.  
           [0009]    The difficulties and limitations suggested in the preceding are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are among many which demonstrate that although significant attention and energy have been devoted to improving features of indoor and outdoor dining accommodations, the features of portability, ease of assembly and disassembly, storage and flexibility of use of tables for indoor and outdoor dining in the past will admit to worthwhile improvement.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a novel, portable dining unit, for one, which will obviate or minimize difficulties and achieve desired results of the type previously described.  
           [0011]    It is another general object of the invention to provide a novel, portable table that can be transported to and from picnic sites conveniently and safely.  
           [0012]    It is a specific object of the invention to provide a novel, portable table that will assemble and disassemble for transport and storage in minimal space.  
           [0013]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel, portable table that can be quickly assembled and or disassembled without the use of any special tools or additional equipment.  
           [0014]    It is another object of the invention to provide a novel, portable table that will reliably hold a paper plate and cup.  
           [0015]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide an individual, portable table that provides a cup holder device that will accommodate all sizes and shapes of drink containers such as soft drink cans, cans with insulation covers (koozies), bottles, glasses and coffee cups or mugs.  
           [0016]    It is a still another object of the invention to provide a portable table that has a stable base or platform capable of secure use on different types of surfaces from hard flooring to sand on the beach.  
           [0017]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable table that has a base that is adaptable to sandy or uneven surfaces to eliminate or minimize wobbling or tipping.  
           [0018]    It is still a further object of the invention to provide a portable table that can be adjustable so that it can be set in a high or low position to accommodate both children and adults at two distinctly different seating heights.  
           [0019]    It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an individual, portable table that is strong enough to withstand rigorous outdoor use while being light weight for ease of travel.  
           [0020]    It is another object of the invention to provide a portable table that is constructed to allow for easy cleaning after use.  
           [0021]    It is still another object of the invention to provide a portable table that after being disassembled will fit into a small storage space or compartment in a home, car or RV for storage or travel.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION  
         [0022]    A preferred embodiment of the invention which is intended to accomplish the foregoing objects includes a portable table system comprising a base; a hub positioned at the center of said base; a wire plate holder; a wire cup holder connected to the side of the plate holder; a stanchion extending between the base and plate holder; and in certain embodiments ground engaging means operable to secure the base to a ground surface.  
           [0023]    The portable, personal table system of the present invention provides an individual with freedom to eat in different locations. The portable table of the present invention also provides a convenient means for safely and securely holding a paper plate and cup simultaneously. Unlike conventional tables, the portable table system of the present invention also has the advantages of portability and ease of assembly, disassembly and storage. Moreover, the portable table system can securely stand on a variety of surfaces both indoors and outdoors, and can accommodate users of varying heights. Unlike conventional wooden tables, which are susceptible to absorption of moisture and warping, the present invention is fabricated of durable powder-coated steel wire components, which provide support and durability for extended use indoors or outdoors. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1A is a schematic view of the invention (Go-Table™) stand being used at a comfortable height by an adult seated on a couch;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1B is the stand depicted in FIG. 1A, at a lower use position operable for a child seated on the floor;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the subject invention used in an outdoor environment;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded, view of the wire components of the invention, shown in suspension, as they fit together to function as a portable table for one person;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the subject invention, as assembled together, with a means for securing the base in the form of an auger like screw tip operable to be turned into the ground to secure a circular base element;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the subject invention for use on a hard, indoor surface with reversible stanchion elements, where one stanchion segment of the invention, with an attached auger element, is shown mounted in a top position and another stanchion segment, without the ground engaging auger, is placed in the lower position and attached to the base;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view, of another embodiment of the invention where an anchor ring is used to secure the base to a ground surface;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the invention with an anchor stanchion element removed so that the stand extends to a height for either a child or an adult to use the subject portable table while seated on a floor or ground surface; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a view of another embodiment of the invention wherein a lower stanchion segment of the invention includes a tapered tip to anchor the stanchion into a ground surface. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]    Context of the Invention  
         [0035]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1A, 1B and  2 , there will be seen the present invention in its intended operating environment. In this, FIG. 1A depicts an indoor family room or covered porch setting where a female FIG. 10 is shown seated on a couch and consuming a lunch from a portable, personal table system  16  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The portable, personal table system  16  includes a base  18 , an upstanding tubular stanchion  20 , a wire plate holder  22  and an attached wire cup holder  24 .  
         [0036]    The stanchion  20  is divided at approximately its center location and includes an upper segment  26  that is telescoped into a lower segment  28 . Accordingly, if it is desirable to use the subject personal table by someone, such as a child, that would like to sit on a ground surface, the upper stanchion segment  26  can be operably removed, the plate holder  22  inserted into the top of the lower stanchion segment  28 , and the subject portable table may be facilely used at a lower elevation as shown in use by a child in FIG. 1B.  
         [0037]    Another operating context is shown in FIG. 2. In this, the subject portable, personal table system  16  is particularly useful in an outdoor environment such as at a picnic or beach function. In this environment, the subject portable, personal table system  16  is often used in cooperation with lawn chairs  30 . When used on grass or sand, the stanchion  20  maybe fitted in one embodiment with an auger like screw or ground engaging means (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) for securing the subject portable, personal table system  16  into a ground surface. Alternatively the ground engaging means can be a pointed tips or a collar with ground engaging times.  
         [0038]    The subject invention is designed specifically to provide a convenient stable device for holding a dinner plate and cup for both adults and children while dining inside or out, at home or away, on a flat hard surface or an uneven or loose surface. The detailed features of presently preferred embodiments will now be discussed.  
         [0039]    Portable, Personal Table System  
         [0040]    Turning to the drawings, FIG. 3 discloses an expanded view of a preferred embodiment comprising the components of the subject invention, including an auger like screw member or ground engaging means. FIG. 4 shows the invention as it would be anchored into a ground surface with the auger like member, and FIG. 5 discloses the assembled invention as it would be used on a hard surface.  
         [0041]    As shown in FIG. 3 (an exploded component view), the base  18  comprises a circular ring of wire  19  with a plurality of inwardly radiating wire arms or spokes  36 , coplanar with said ring  19 . The spokes extend inwardly toward and connect to a hub member  32 , positioned at the center of said base  18 . The hub  32  is composed of a short cylindrical tube, which is operable to receive within its interior a lower portion of the stanchion segment  28 . In one embodiment, a ground engaging means  29  is positioned at a distant end of the stanchion segment  28  to extend into a ground surface.  
         [0042]    The base  18 , per se, provides a stable platform for the table on hard surfaces indoors such as hardwood floors, tile, carpet and the like as well as outdoor patio and deck surfaces constructed of cement, wood, and the like. The base  18  also provides for a large measure of stability for the table on outdoor surfaces such as grass, sand and the like. In a sand environment the spokes  36  and base ring  18  may be settled into the sand to secure the stand.  
         [0043]    The upper stanchion segment  26 , like the lower stanchion segment  28 , is composed of metal tubing and has the same diameter as the lower stanchion segment  28 . The upper segment  26  has a reduced portion  46  that can be fitted into a top end of the lower stanchion segment  28 . The lower stanchion segment  28  has a reduced portion  48  fits into the hub  32 . In a preferred embodiment a ground engaging means comprising an auger component  29  is axially to the reduced portion  48  of the lower stanchion. It should be noted that the use of the upper stanchion segment  26  will add sufficient height to the subject table system so that it is of a comfortable height to be used by an adult while seated in a conventional chair or couch. Alternatively, removal of the upper stanchion segment  26  will position the table&#39;s height to a lower use position for either a child or an adult seated on the floor or ground surface.  
         [0044]    The lower stanchion segment  28 , with attached auger  29 , is cooperatively received within the interior of the hub  32 . The auger  29  projects beneath the plane of the base  18 , and is operable to bore into a ground surface by rotating the stanchion to provide support for the portable table system.  
         [0045]    The plate holder  22  is constructed of metal wire similar to the wire of the base  18  and is comprised of two wire rings  48  and  50  having a common central axis. The outer ring  48  is larger in diameter than the inner ring  50 . The rings  48  and  50  are attached to radiating support arms  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58  which are connected to the rings as shown in FIG. 3 by the plurality of said radiating support arms. The radiating support arms  52 - 58  are welded to the rings  48  and  50  in such a manner that the small ring is offset in a plane slightly beneath the plane of the larger ring. This enables the upper ring to generally conform to the diameter of a conventional serving plate and the smaller, lower ring to conform to the base of the plate. The radiating wires  52 - 58  are bent downwardly in the center at approximately a right angle to form a downwardly extending column  60 . This column  60  is operably received within an upper portion of the stanchion segment  26  to securely support the plate holder  22  in a horizontal posture.  
         [0046]    The cup holder  24  is composed of wire and is connected to the side of the plate holder  22 . A lateral wall surfaces of the cup holder is formed by wire having a C-shaped upper ring  62  and a similar C-shaped lower ring  64 . The rings  62  and  64  are interconnected by vertical rods  65  to form a generally cylindrical cup holder. A gap in the rings  62  and  64  serves as an opening  66  for the handle of a cup or mug. The upper ring  62  of the cup holder  24  is attached by means of a weld to the upper ring  48  of the plate holder  22  and the lower ring  64  of the cup holder  24  is attached to a downwardly bent extension of radiating arm  54  of the plate holder  22 . A pair of crossing wires  68  is used to provide a base for a cup positioned within the cup holder. Although the wires  68  are shown in a parallel position other configurations are envisioned such as a radiating design.  
         [0047]    The plate holder  22  and cup holder  24  can be rotated one hundred and eighty (180) degrees to suit the needs of both left and right handed users. In a preferred embodiment the wire is coated with powder paint which is baked on to provide a smooth outer surface that is resistant to rust.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 4 depicts an assembled portable, personal table system where the plate holder  22  and cup holder  24  are fitted into the top of the upper stanchion segment  26 . The upper segment  26  is telescoped into the top end of the lower stanchion segment  28 , and the lower stanchion segment  28  is telescoped through the hub  32 . In a preferred embodiment the lower segment  28  has attached at its posterior end an auger like ground engaging element  29 . The lower segment  28  that is fitted with the auger  29  is inserted into the upper portion of hub  32 , and the auger  29  projects beneath the plane of the base  18  to secure the base to the ground. Referring to FIG. 5, when it is not necessary to secure the base  18  to the ground, the upper segment  26  and the lower segment can be reversed and the auger  28  is positioned within the interior of the stanchion segment  26 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of the inventions. The base  18  comprises a ring of wire  19  with a plurality of inwardly radiating wire arms  36 , coplanar with said ring  19 . The arms  36  are bent ninety degrees upwardly at the center of the base  18  to form an upstanding mounting column  37 . In this, the individual upwardly bent wire components cooperatively form a generally cylindrical member which can be received within the interior of the base portion of a lower stanchion segment  28 . Although the use of four spokes  36  is preferred it is possible to use three or five, as desired to provide a stable base.  
         [0050]    As shown in FIG. 6, the base  18  can be operably stabilized by an anchor ring  41  which is formed from wire components attach to a metal collar or hub  40 . The wire components include a ring  42  and a plurality of radiating spokes  44  which extend from the center of the anchor ring  42  and hub  40 . The radiating spokes  44  are connected to the ring  42  and are then bent downwardly ninety degrees having free ends or tines  34  operable to be releasably embedded into a ground surface for outdoor use. Application of a moderate amount of downward force on the metal ring  42  by a user&#39;s foot will serve to implant the tines into the ground or sand. The metal hub  40  at the center of said anchor ring  41  is slightly larger in diameter than the lower stanchion segment  28  and operably slides along the stanchion. When the invention is being used on a hard surface, the four (4) tines  34  of the anchor ring  41  rest on the surface of the base ring  18  as the anchor ring  41  is free to slid up on the lower stanchion segment  28 . Alternatively the anchor ring  41  can simply be removed. The combination of the base  18  and the anchor ring  41  together provide a stable platform for the subject invention. The anchor ring  41  is slidably received along the lower segment  28  and the subject invention is operable for use in an outdoor lawn or beach environment next to a folding picnic chair.  
         [0051]    In another operative mode the upper stanchion segment  26  is removed and the plate holder  22  and attached cup holder  24  are mounted directly into the upper end of the lower stanchion segment  28  as shown in FIG. 7. This form of the invention can be used by a child sitting on a floor surface watching TV as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the anchor ring  41  can be attached and the lower elevation invention used alongside a low beach chair or the like.  
         [0052]    Finally another embodiment of a ground engaging means is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment the lower stanchion segment  28  is formed with a generally sharp-end or spike component  31  that can operably be pushed into a ground surface to secure the base  18  to a ground surface.  
       SUMMARY OF MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION  
       [0053]    The present invention represents an enhanced option for informal dining both indoors and outdoors. There are numerous occasions when people gather together to celebrate family reunions, birthdays, ball games and the like in their home where there is not enough seating and table space to accommodate everyone present. The portable, personal table system is very useful during these occasions as it can be set up quickly and used anywhere in the house. When not in use the subject portable table breaks down and stores away in a drawer, cabinet, closet or the like.  
         [0054]    There are many uses for this unique invention in today&#39;s mobile society such as tail-gate parties at sporting events, camping at the beach or wherever people have a picnic table in their backyard and they are in short supply at park and campgrounds as well. As a result people are forced to sit with a paper plate in their lap and nowhere to place their cup when they are cooking out. Additionally, the portable table is manufactured from strong heavy gauge steel wire and then powder coated with non-toxic paint to protect it for many years of physical use. It is constructed to be cleaned and stored away very quickly and conveniently. Other materials such as plastic could also be used to form some or even all of the components of this invention.  
         [0055]    A stanchion element is divided into two sections so that the height of the plate holder can be lowered by removing one section. The plate and cup holder are faciely removable from the stanchion so that a paper plate and cup can be easily supported with one hand to pour a drink or add food to one&#39;s plate with the free hand.  
         [0056]    In describing the subject invention, reference has been made to a preferred embodiment and illustrative advantages of the invention. Those skilled in the art, however, and familiar with the instant disclosure of the subject invention, may also recognize other additions, deletions, modifications, substitutions and/or other changes which will fall within the purview of the subject invention and claims.