Card table attachment

A device for attachment to a foldable card table, or the like, providing a convenient horizontal surface for drinks, snacks, etc., which is out of the way of the normal table playing surface. The attachement includes a rigid tongue which is designed to be interposed between the table top and the frame, and which serves to support a tray extending out from the edge of the table, preferably at the corner. One embodiment comprises a one-piece attachment having a rectangular tongue at one end, and providing an elliptical or semicircular tray surface at the other end, with a raised edge around the external periphery of the latter. In one variation, a slit on the inner edge of the tongue is designed to accommodate obstacles, such as bolts, between the top and frame at the table corner. In other embodiments, the tray is hinged to the external end of the tongue; and the tray portion is designed to fit over the table corner for storage purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This relates in general to auxiliary trays for attachment to folding game 
tables and the like. 
When a number of persons are seated at a game or conference table, a 
problem arises in the placement of drinks or snacks, so that they are not 
in the way of the players or conferees, and so that they will not be 
knocked over and spilled. Whereas it may be possible to have an attachment 
to the table for this purpose, if the table is of a foldable type, it is 
desirable to have an attachment which is not in the way when the table is 
folded and stored. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a 
convenient place on which to deposit bowls, ashtrays and other items often 
used when people are seated at a foldable card table or the like. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for accommodating 
such items which attaches to the card table when in use, and is readily 
stowed away or folded with the card table for storage. 
These and other objects are realized in accordance with the present 
invention in a device which consists of a supporting member including a 
tongue portion which is designed to be interposed between the surface of 
the folding table and the frame to form a secure and rigid attachment 
which functions in cantilevered fashion to support a tray portion which 
extends out laterally from the supporting member at the edge of the table 
during use. 
In a preferred embodiment, the supporting member and the tray portion are 
integrally formed from a single rigid plate, the inner end of which takes 
the form of a flat rectangular tongue which is constructed to slip into 
and engage a narrow clearance between the rigid surface covering of the 
table and a lateral frame of the table top, and the tray portion which 
comprises a semicircular or semielliptical surface surrounded by a knurled 
edge to accommodate plates and glasses. Preferably, the embodiment in the 
form of a one-piece plate attachment is constructed to fit into and extend 
out laterally from the corner of the folding table. This may be formed of 
a thin plate of any rigid material, such as wood, metal or plastic, 
preferably a plastic material characterized by a high rigidity, good 
impact resistance and high flexural modulus. The edging is preferably of 
wood or plastic. When not in use, the one-piece plate attachment is 
disengaged from the external edge of the table and stored underneath by 
slipping the tongue under a strut or crosspiece. 
In view of the fact that in some types of folding card tables the surface 
covering is bolted, screwed or otherwise bonded to the frame member at the 
corners, an alternative embodiment is provided in which the tongue has a 
central slot which is constructed to engage and surround a bolt or other 
obstacle. 
In accordance with an alternative form of the invention, the flat 
rectangular tongue portion is fastened at its external edges to a hinge 
constructed to support a tray which extends out from the table edge. The 
hinge is fastened to the face of a downwardly depending flange member 
shaped to fit onto the corner of the table frame. The tray is a flat 
fan-shaped member, fastened at its small end to the hinge, and having 
slightly raised edges to prevent dishes from slipping off when the tray is 
in use. In storage position, the fan-shaped tray is constructed to fold up 
and rest on the corner surface of the table so that it does not 
substantially protrude when the table is folded up. This embodiment can be 
made of any rigid material, including wood, metal or plastic, preferably 
any of the plastic materials disclosed with reference to the one-piece 
plate attachment, such as, for example, an acrylic resin or plastic 
manufactured by E. I. duPont de Nemours & Co. under the trademark 
"LUCITE". 
A particular feature of the trays of the present invention is that they are 
designed to accommodate drinks, snack bowls, ashtrays, etc., and poker 
chips and other game pieces, out of the way of the playing or working 
surface. The tray device is designed to attach or detach in seconds 
without the use of tools, screws, adhesives, bolts or brackets. The 
attachment can be designed to fit any size of folding table and to be 
stored with the folded table, so as not to substantially protrude or 
interfere with the normal folding operations of the table. 
The invention will be better understood from a study of the specification 
and claims hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a conventional type of 
foldable card table 1 having a top surface 2 comprising a 34-inch square 
of, say, a vinyl plastic covering, supported on a rectangular tubular 
steel frame having sides 3 and legs 4. The foldable card table 1 may be, 
for example, of any of the types well-known in the art, such as the types 
manufactured under the trademark "SAMSONITE" and listed in the 1975 
catalog of Arthur's Jewelers and Distributors, 149 E. Front Street, 
Plainfield, New Jersey, on page 297B under catalog numbers 2946-014-4H, 
2946-013-6H, 2682-041-5H or 2946-025-0H. A salient feature of the folding 
table of the type to which the present invention may be applied is that it 
has a slight clearance at the edges between the table cover and the 
supporting frame. 
Supported on each of two corners of a folding table of the type described 
are two different embodiments 10 and 20 of the present invention in their 
operated positions, in which they serve as tray attachments for drinks, 
snacks, etc. 
Embodiment 10, shown in enlarged detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprises a sheet 
of any rigid material, such as wood, metal or plastic, and preferably, as 
previously stated, a plastic material of high rigidity, good impact 
resistance and a high flexural modulus, of at least about, say, 2.5 
.times. 10.sup.5 pounds per square inch. In the example under description, 
this may comprise, for example, a sheet of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene 
(ABS) or a polycarbonate material, 0.0625 inch thick. Alternatively, a 
sheet of glass fiber, reinforced fiberboard can be used. This is cut in 
one flat piece having an overall length of 81/2 inches and an overall 
width of 4.8 inches. One end, comprising the tray portion 12, is rounded, 
having a radius of 2.4 inches. The other end 11, comprising the tongue, is 
substantially rectangular, except for the corners which are slightly 
rounded, with a radius of curvature of one inch. An edge member 13, which 
is disposed adjacent the outer periphery of the tray has its terminal ends 
2.65 inches back from the straight inner edge of the tongue 11. Edge 
member 13 may be integrally molded with the flat portions 11, 12 out of 
plastic. Alternatively, as in the present illustration, it may comprise a 
narrow wooden flange, 0.8 inch high and 0.28 inch thick, which is bonded 
to the peripheral edge of tray portion 12. For convenience, the terminal 
ends of member 13 adjacent the tongue portion 11 are inwardly bevelled at 
an angle of 45.degree. in a horizontal plane; and the upper edge is 
slightly rounded in the vertical plane to improve the appearance and 
remove any sharp edges or corners. 
The leading edge of tongue 11 is tapered; and as shown in FIG. 3, the 
underside 14 is preferably perfectly plane to facilitate slidable 
engagement with table 1, as will be explained hereinafter. Alternatively, 
it may comprise a small boss or projection for locking purposes, as 
explained with reference to FIG. 12. 
The one-piece embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is substantially similar in 
material and construction to the embodiment of FIG. 2, except that the 
lateral edges, instead of being straight, are outwardly flared to provide 
a larger tray space 22; and the tongue 21 is slotted to accommodate bolts 
or other obstacles which may be present at the corners of table 1 or other 
edge section where it is desired to attach the tray. 
The modified embodiment 20 is larger than the previously described 
embodiment, being 11.325 inches long, 4.8 inches wide at the leading edge 
of tongue 21, and 7.25 inches wide at the maximum width of tray portion 
22. The rear of tray portion 22 has a radius of curvature of 3.625 inches, 
from which the edges extend inwardly in a tangential direction to join the 
straight edges of rectangular tongue portion 21. As in the previous 
embodiment, an edging member 23 is disposed adjacent the periphery of the 
tray portion 22, terminating on each side 2.5 inches back from the 
straight leading edge of tongue 21. As in the previously described 
embodiment, the latter may be of plastic, integrally molded with the flat 
plate 22 to form a continuous surface; or, alternatively, may comprise a 
wooden flange, as in the present example. This is 0.4 inch wide and 0.8 
inch high, the inner ends being inwardly bevelled at angles of 45.degree. 
in a horizontal plane; and the upper edges being curved on a radius of 
curvature of one-half inch. 
A particular feature of this embodiment is a slot 25, centered in the 
leading edge of tongue 21, which slot is, say, one-half inch wide and 
about 2.5 inches along the central axis, being curved at its inner end. 
The function of this slot, as previously stated, is to avoid contact with 
bolts and other obstacles between the cover 2 and the frame 3, when the 
device is interposed into the edge of table 1. 
FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 removed from its use position at the 
edge of the table and upended for storage by interposing tongue 11 behind 
a bracket or strut on the underside of the table 1. 
FIG. 7 of the drawings shows a modification of the device of the present 
invention, which may be formed of any rigid material, such as wood, metal 
or plastic or the like. In preferred form, it is made of a plastic 
material having high rigidity, good impact resistance and a high flexural 
modulus, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or a well-known 
polycarbonate material. In the present example, the base portions of this 
device are formed from a 3/32 inch thick plate of an acrylic resin sold by 
E. I. duPont de Nemours & Co. under the trademark "LUCITE". The tongue 
portion 31 is 6 inches long and 43/4 inches wide, being substantially 
rectangular at the leading edge except for slightly rounded corners. 
Beginning 43/4 inches back from the leading edge, opposite edges of tongue 
31 are inwardly bevelled at angles of substantially 45.degree., the 
bevelled edges each extending about 11/4 inches in a lateral plane, and 
the rear edge, adjoining the bevelled edges, extending about 21/2 inches 
parallel to the leading edge in the same plane. Rigidly bonded in a 
rectangular manner to the underside of tongue 31 is a flange member 36, 
extending 7/8 inch in a vertical plane. Flanged member 36 has an inner 
concave perimeter with a radius of curvature of 3 9/16 inches. The outer 
surface of flanged member 36 conforms in a lateral plane to the end shape 
of tongue 31, except that a pair of hinge terminals 37a, 37b protrude 
laterally from the front end. These contain horizontally aligned bores, 
say, 3/32 inch in diameter, centered about 1/4 inch out from the external 
face of flange member 36 and one-half inch down from the upper surface of 
tongue 31. 
In operated position, as shown in FIG. 7, the tray is formed of a flat, 
fan-shaped member having an upper surface 32 and under surface 34, which 
in the present embodiment is "LUCITE", 3/32 inch thick, although, as 
previously stated, this may be of any rigid material, such as wood, metal 
or other suitable plastic. Under surface 34 has a straight inner edge 21/2 
inches wide, which forms a junction with edge 33d. The width of surface 34 
broadens out to form an arc having a radius of curvature of about 93/4 
inches, the maximum width along the central axis being 9 inches, and along 
the sides, being 81/2 inches, each. 
Conforming to the curved edge of upper tray surface 32 is a small ledge 33c 
about 3/8 inch wide and 3/32 inch high above the surface. Edge walls 33a 
and 33b, each 73/8 inches long, 1/2 inch high and 5/32 inch thick, are 
bonded flush with the lateral edges of upper surface 32, and are chamfered 
at their inner ends to fit in bonded relation to the ends of block 33d. 
The latter is in the form of a parallel-piped, 21/2 inches long, 3/8 inch 
wide and 1/2 inch high, and is bonded flush with the short inner edge of 
fan-shaped surface 32. Integral with and centered along the upper edge of 
block 33d is a projection 33e, 11/2 inches long, 3/8 inch wide and about 
1/2 inch high, being rounded along the top edge. This has a substantially 
axial bore in which is mounted a pin 38 which is, say, 3/32 inch in 
diameter, and protrudes about 1/8 inch at each end, the ends being 
accommodated in fixed relation in the bores of hinge terminals 37a, 37b. 
The pin 38 is rotatable in the bore provided in 33e. This provides a hinge 
in which rotation of the tray member in a clockwise direction is stopped 
when the upper rear edge of block 33d engages the front face of member 36, 
thereby holding the tray so that surface 32 is maintained in a 
substantially horizontal plane. 
For storage purposes, as shown in FIG. 8, the tray portion is rotated 
counterclockwise about the hinge, so that the inner faces of edge members 
33a and 33b fit over the corresponding angular lateral faces of 36; and 
surface 32 rests on the upper surface of table 1 in substantially parallel 
relation to the principal surface of tongue 31. 
A modification 40 of the embodiment 30 of FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown in FIGS. 
9, 10 and 11, in which the primary difference between the two embodiments 
is in the arrangements for the hinge. In the embodiments of FIGS. 9 et 
seq., it will be understood that reference numbers having similar digits 
designate corresponding parts, which will not be redescribed except to 
point out differences. For example, the tongue 41 corresponds to and is 
substantially similar in material and construction to tongue 31. 
The hinge terminals 37a, 37b, with closed bores, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, 
have been replaced in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 by a pair of 
hooks 47a and 47b. As shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 11, the projection 
43e on top of block 43d supports a dowel member 48, which is, say, 21/2 
inches long and, say, 3/8 inch in diameter; and is shaped to be 
accommodated rotatably on the semicylindrical inner surfaces of hooks 47a, 
47b. A pair of small semicylindrical bosses 47c and 47d are positioned 
above each of hooks 47a and 47b to retain dowel 48 in rotatable position 
against the concave inner surfaces of hooks 47a, 47b. The sizes and 
positions of hooks 47a, 47b and of bosses 47c and 47d are so chosen as to 
permit dowel 48 to be snapped into rotatable position. 
In accordance with another alternative, the upper edges of end surfaces 46 
may be supplied with a pair of horizontally extending ridges 46a and 46b. 
When the tray surface 42 folds over in storage position to rest on the top 
of table 1, or when the same is being transported, ridges 46a, 46b engage 
and latch in slots 43f and 43g, in the inner sidewalls 43a and 43b. 
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION 
Conventional folding tables, such as bridge table 1 of FIG. 1, consist of a 
rectangular metal frame 3, a playing surface 2 and folding legs 4. The 
playing surface 2 usually attaches to the frame by means of screws and 
brackets which have not been shown. 
Generally the playing surface 2 has enough natural compliance to permit a 
thin plate (approximately 1/16 inch or 3/32 inch thick), such as any of 
tongues 11, 21, 31 or 41 of the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 4, 7 and 9, 
hereinbefore described, to be inserted between it and the metal frame 3. 
This feature is exploited in the design of the table tray attachment of 
the present invention. The attachment tongue 11, 21, 31 or 41 comprises a 
thin plate which has surfaces, ridges, contours and protrusions which 
enhance its coupling to the table, and permits the tray to be attached to 
the tongue and supported in cantilever fashion in the manner specifically 
shown in FIG. 12. This figure includes a sectional showing of the 
attachment of one of the embodiments of the present invention being 
interposed in operative position between the frame 3 and playing surface 2 
of a foldable card table 1 which has been set up in operated position with 
the legs 4 extended. This is carried out by interposing the tongue 11, 21, 
31 or 41 of any one of the embodiments described hereinbefore horizontally 
between the two members 2 and 3. As a further alternative, the undersides 
of any one of the tongues referred to may include a locking ridge or 
button 8 which is positioned during insertion to override a stop 9 just 
inside the edge of table frame member 3, tending to engage and lock with 
the same to inhibit the extraction of the tongue when the latter is fully 
inserted, thereby making a more secure attachment. However, the presence 
of this feature is not deemed essential to the operation of the 
combination. 
Although the device of the present invention has been described as 
attaching to a corner of a conventional folding table 1, it will be 
understood that the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4 are also adapted to be 
attached to the side of a conventional table; and with slight 
modifications, the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 9 can be so adapted. In this 
mode of attachment, the locking members 8 and 9 may be especially helpful. 
The device of the present invention is seen to be easily installed and 
removed without the need of special tools and without physically altering 
the table. No holes need be drilled into the table nor is there a 
necessity for using bonding agents or clamps which may mar the table. 
Further, the device of the present invention does not interfere with the 
folding action of the legs and conforms essentially to the profile of the 
table. This feature eliminates any need to remove the device when the 
table is to be stored. Inasmuch as the device of the present invention is 
stored with the table, set-up and tear-down times are reduced, the device 
per se does not require storage space and the device is not likely to be 
misplaced. 
Although the invention has been described with reference to several 
specific embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not 
limited to any of the particular forms shown by way of example, but only 
by the scope of the appended claims.