Transportable table cart including a rotatable and removable top portion

The present invention is a cart assembly comprising a top portion which is adapted to be removably secured to a lower portion. The top portion includes a rotatable table, known as a lazy Susan and secured to the rotatable table is a lock device, which enables the rotatable table to lock in a fix position when desired by the user. A removing device allows for the top portion to be removably secured to the bottom portion. This will render the top portion, when removed, to act as a tray for adequately and efficiently transport the finished product and to prevent handling by the user to intrinsically reduce damage thereto. The lower portion includes a plurality of legs. The legs, preferably includes lockable wheels to provide conveyance of the assembled assembly, when the top portion is secured to the bottom portion, or solely the bottom portion. The lower portion supports the top portion and is designed to aid the user. As such, a tray can be located between the plurality of legs, for consequently forming a storage means for the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The present invention relates generally to a transportable table cart,
 having a rotatable and removable top portion and more particularly to a
 table cart which is versatile, practical and one that is particularly
 suited for florists, cake decorators, crafters, and the like for easing
 their labor and inherently enabling efficient and exceptional work to be
 accomplished and allowing transportation of the finished product when
 utilizing the table cart of the present invention.
 2. Description of the Prior Art
 Rotatable tables are well known in the field and have been used in the
 bakery industry for cake decorating. These tables generally include a
 stand, having a lazy-Susan type structure located thereon, and wheels
 located at the bottom of the stand. For example, in U.S. Pat. No.
 4,793,266 issued to Napolitano et al., there is disclosed a cake
 decorating stand wherein a handle extends upwardly from the lower portion.
 This provides for the final product to act as a transportable tray.
 Another feature in Napolitano et al., is that the stand can be raised or
 lowered. This allows the user adjust the table to a desired height so as
 to render a comfortable working environment. Though efficient, this
 assembly is limited in use, by providing an apparatus which, is only
 usable in the bakery industry. This apparatus is not adaptable to other
 fields, such as with floral designers, since the top portion, or lazy
 Susan is not removable from the assembly. Hence, the user risks the task
 of destroying and harming the finished product from the top portion.
 Yet another apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,894 issued to
 Sammons. In this patent there's disclosed a multi-purpose furniture swivel
 assembly having a support secured to a swivel unit and a stand, having
 wheels located thereon. This stand is designed and configured for use with
 televisions, computer monitors, or the like, and is ideally suited for its
 intended purpose. However, this stand cannot be used in any type of
 creative environment since the swivel unit does not fully rotate, hence,
 limiting its use and accessibility. In addition, the stand is built so as
 to be obtrusive and to prohibit a comfortable working environment for one
 in a creative field, such as cake decorators, florists, crafter, or the
 like.
 Hence, what is needed is an apparatus that will adequately and effectively
 enable a user a means of working in an efficient environment and allow for
 the finished product to be transported without the need to touch or move
 the finished product. This will ensure that the finish product remains in
 its pristine and original condition. Such an apparatus should be
 versatile, simple in construction so as to provide a device which is
 successful and that can be used with a minimal amount of training.
 Accordingly, it is seen that none of these previous efforts provide the
 benefits intended with the present invention, such as identified above.
 Additionally, prior techniques do not suggest the present inventive
 combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein. The
 present invention achieves its intended purposes, objectives and
 advantages over the prior art device through a new, useful and unobvious
 combination of component elements, which is simple to use, with the
 utilization of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost
 to manufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily available
 material.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention is an assembler conveyance cart assembly that is
 designed and configured to aid and assist those in creative fields, such
 as florists, bakers, crafters, and the like. The cart assembly of the
 present invention comprises a top portion that is adapted to be removably
 secured to a lower portion.
 The top portion includes a rotatable table, known as a lazy Susan, which,
 preferably, includes a square like configuration. Secured to the rotatable
 table is a lock means, which enables the rotatable table to lock in a fix
 position when desired by the user. This top portion can further includes
 table extensions that are secured to the rotatable table, so as to permit
 for the table to increase in size and length.
 A removing device allows for the top portion to be removably secured to the
 bottom portion. This will render the top portion, when removed, to act as
 a tray for adequately and efficiently transport the finished product and
 to prevent handling by the user to intrinsically reduce damage thereto.
 The lower portion of the assembly of the present invention comprises a
 plurality of legs. The legs, preferably includes lockable wheels to
 provide conveyance of the assembled assembly, when the top portion is
 secured to the bottom portion, or solely the bottom portion. The lower
 portion supports the top portion and is designed to aid the user. As such,
 a tray can be located between the plurality of legs, for consequently
 forming a storage means for the user.
 For further assistance, the apparatus of the present invention can include
 a removable handle, which is designed to be secured to the bottom portion.
 This handle will aid in transporting the unit to a desired location.
 Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide for an
 assembler cart which will overcome the deficiencies, shortcomings, and
 drawbacks of prior assembler carts and methods thereof.
 Another object of the present invention, to be specifically enumerated
 herein, is to provide a transportable cart assembly in accordance with the
 preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of
 manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a
 device that would be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively
 trouble free in operation.
 Although there have been many inventions related to tables and stands
 having a rotatable portion, none of the inventions have become
 sufficiently compact, low cost, and versatile enough to become commonly
 used. The present invention meets the requirements of the simplified
 design, compact size, low initial cost, low operating cost, ease of
 installation and maintainability, and minimal amount of training to
 successfully employ the invention.
 The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the
 invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of
 some of the more prominent features and application of the intended
 invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the
 disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention
 within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, a fuller understanding of
 the invention may be had by referring to the detailed description of the
 preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention defined by
 the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several
 views of the drawings.
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 With reference to the drawings, in particular to FIGS. 1a-3 thereof, the
 assembler apparatus, generally denoted by reference numeral 10 will be
 described. The present invention can be used in a plurality of
 environments and situations, for enabling the viewing and accessibility of
 an item which is being created and fabricated. This invention has been
 used successfully in the florist industry, in particular when used when
 assembling flowers to be used during a funeral, especially those which are
 to be located on the casket. The assembler cart proved to be successful by
 inherently reducing time, labor, and damage to the final product, as done
 in previous situations, to adequately and efficiently: form floral
 arrangements; transport the arrangement to a vehicle; successfully place
 the arrangement by placing the top portion of the assembly in the vehicle,
 thus preventing harm to occur with the floral arrangement; and remove the
 floral arrangement via the top portion of the assembly from the vehicle to
 the desired location without marring or damaging the particular
 arrangement.
 To allow for such an efficient transportation means and excellent
 accessibility to the item being formed, the present invention 10 comprises
 a top portion 12 removable secured to a bottom or lower portion 14. This
 top portion is removably secured to the lower portion, and thereby
 provides for the top portion to act as a transportation means as well as a
 support means, when used alone.
 Assembly of the item being formed occurs at the top portion 12, and thus
 the top portion includes a support 16 that is mounted to a commercially
 and conventionally available rotatable disk 18, known as a lazy Susan.
 This attachment and arrangement will enable the support to rotate freely,
 when desired, to allow for all the sides of the item located on the
 support to be accessible to the user and builder, by enabling the user to
 merely rotate the support to the desired side. Hence, the support is a
 workable and rotatable table that can support any item that is being built
 thereon.
 The support 16, preferably, includes a square like configuration and for
 situations where it is desirable to increase the work surface area, table
 extensions 20, are collapsibly secured to at least one side of the
 support. The collapsibility of the table extensions 20 provides for the
 final product which is not only customized to the desired needs of the
 user, but when collapsed (see FIG. 1a), is compact in size so as to
 provide for a device which is storable and manageable. To enable the table
 extensions 20 to be in a locked extended position (see FIG. 2) or in a
 stored folded position (see FIG. 1) conventional hinges 22, are utilized.
 For added stability, conventional slidable support rods 24 (illustrated in
 FIG. 2) can be located on under surface of the support 16 and lock into
 place to the under surface of the table extension 20. An example of one
 type of support rod which can be utilized is illustrated in FIG. 2. As
 seen in this figure, for each extension which is to be used, a sliding rod
 24 is slidably secured in a tubular housing 26 located on the under
 surface of the support 16. This tubular housing is located in close
 proximity to each extension. This will provide for the housing 26 to
 maintain the rod 24 while still enabling the rod to slide freely within
 the housing. For permitting the sliding motion, a handle 25 is located on
 the rod 24. To lock the rod in a fixed and extended position, when it is
 desirable to use the table extension 20, a receiving device 28 is secured
 to the under surface of the table extension. Shown in this figure is a
 flexible hoop for receiving and maintaining the rod in the extended
 position. It is noted that any type or style of receiving device can be
 used.
 The table extensions 20 can be located on any one side of the support 16,
 any two sides of the support, any three sides support or optionally, on
 all four sides of the support. The lower surface of the support 16 and
 extensions 20 can include a groove G or several grooves and indentations
 for the housing 26, rod 24, and receiving device 28 to provide for the
 lower surface to be flush and permit the extension to fold easily and
 adequately.
 In the folded position, as seen in FIG. 1, the extensions can be locked in
 a fixed position via a holding device 36 (illustrated in FIG. 2). This
 holding device 36 is conventional and can be, as illustrated, a C-shaped
 flexible clip which receives and maintains the edge of the extension when
 in a folded position.
 The rotatable disk 18 is rotatably secured to a brace 30. This brace 30 is
 designed and configured to be removable secured to the lower portion 14.
 To enable such an arrangement, the brace includes an enclosed top 32 and
 an open bottom 33 (illustrated in FIG. 1b). The rotatable disk 18 is
 secured to the enclosed top while the open bottom receives the lower
 portion 14 of the assembler device 10 of the present invention.
 The final product is a brace that enables the top portion to be removably
 secured to the bottom portion 14. This will render the top portion 12,
 when removed, to act as a tray to adequately and efficiently transport the
 finished product and to prevent handling by the user to intrinsically
 reduce damage thereto.
 The support 16 is versatile and it can be locked it in a fixed and secure
 position via a locking device 34. The locking device 34 can be any type or
 style of conventional locking devices and preferably is secured to the
 brace 30 and to the support 16. This structure will provide for the
 locking means to lock the support 16 to the brace 30, to inherently
 provide for the support to be in a fixed and secured position, and prevent
 rotation thereof. As seen in FIG. 1a, the locking device 34 comprises a
 conventional slidable lock having a shaft that is receivable into a hole
 (illustrated in outline, but not labeled). The holes will receive the
 shaft and thus allow for the device to be in a locked position. The use of
 two holes provides a device which can be locked in two positions, each
 being approximately 90 degrees from the other. Hence in one position, the
 support will be located linearly and parallel to the long edge of the
 brace, while in the second position, the support will be located in a
 perpendicular position along the long edge of the brace.
 In an alternative embodiment, the support 16 can be eliminated, to provide
 for the rotatable disk 18 to act as the working surface or as the support.
 The disk 18 can include any configuration and can also have table
 extensions foldably secured to at least one side thereon. The use of
 rotatable disk as the support will innately decrease the number of
 components needed to successfully employ the invention.
 When extensions are used with either the support or utilizing the rotating
 disk as the support, it may be necessary to provide for the rotating
 device to be removably secured to the brace 30. This is dependent upon the
 size of the enclosed top wall 32 of the brace. If enough clearance does
 not exists for the extension to be foldable lifted and lowered, then the
 rotating device will be removably secured to the brace. However, in the
 preferred embodiment, the top surface of the brace will be designed so as
 to enable the extension to fold and extend easily and efficiently and
 without being obtrusive. As seen in FIG. 1a, to enable the table
 extensions to extend outward, the user rotates the support 90 degrees to
 allow for the extensions to be folded outward.
 As seen in FIG. 1a, the lower portion 14 of the assembler of the present
 invention 10, comprises a plurality of legs 38. To easily receive the
 upper portion 12, optionally, these legs 38 can be angularly disposed. As
 seen in FIG. 1a, the brace 30 is angularly disposed to provide for the
 surface area to increase in size from the enclosed top 32 to the open
 bottom and thus, the legs are angularly disposed to match the brace and
 securely maintain it thereon.
 For added structural stability, cross bars 40 are secured across the legs
 of the lower portion 14. For mobility purposes, lockable wheels 42 can be
 secured to each leg of the lower portion. This will provide conveyance of
 the assembled assembly, when the top portion is secured to the bottom
 portion, or solely the bottom portion.
 As seen in FIG. 1a, the lower portion 14 supports the top portion 12 and is
 designed to aid the user. As such, a tray 44 can be located between the
 legs 38, for consequently forming a storage means for the user.
 Optionally, this storage area can be enclosed.
 For further assistance, the apparatus of the present invention can include
 a removably handle 46, illustrated in FIG. 3, which is designed to be
 secured to the bottom portion 14. This handle 14 will aid in transporting
 the unit to a desired location.
 As seen in FIG. 3 the handle includes a front section 48 and a rear section
 50. The front section 48 is removable secured to the lower portion 14 and
 the user manipulates the apparatus 10 via the rear section 50. To receive
 the front section 48, channels 52 are located on the legs of the lower
 portion 14. This arrangement allows for the front section 48 to slide into
 the channels 52 when desired to be used and slide out when not desired.
 Thus allowing the handles to slide into the channels provide for the
 securement of the device while removing the handle from the device
 provides for the removal therefrom. The device is naturally held into
 placed due to the angular displacement between the front section and rear
 section as seen in FIG. 3. Thereby, and as seen, the angular displacement
 between the front section and rear section provides for a natural stop
 between the channels and the handles. In use, the user inserts the front
 section into the channels. Once the top edge of the channels contacts the
 start of the rear section (at the point of the angular displacement) the
 handle is locked into place, and ready for use.
 In an alternative embodiment, the handle can be permanently secured to the
 legs 38. The handle, in the permanent arrangement, can have any shape or
 configuration so as to provide for an assembler which can be manipulated
 efficiently by way of the particular handle.
 Hence, the present invention is an apparatus which enables access to the
 work surface 16. The versatility of having a rotatable work surface 16
 provides a final product which is user friendly by providing a work
 surface which is movable and non-tedious to the user. The rotatable work
 surface allows accessibility of the item being formed thereon at all
 angles. The locking device 34 prevents the work surface from rotating when
 desired.
 The removable top portion provides a device where the item located on the
 work surface 16 can be stored easily and conveniently, without disrupting
 or destroying the item located thereon.
 The assembler cart 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1a-3 has been utilized and
 proven to be successful, especially when designing and forming floral
 arrangements. In use, the floral arrangement is formed on the work surface
 16 and is at a height convenient to the user by being located on the lower
 portion 14. Once formed, it is transported, still on the support 16 which
 is affixed to the lower portion 14, to an automobile or the like. The
 upper portion 12 is lifted off the lower portion 14 and placed in the
 automobile for transportation, thus preventing harm to occur with the
 floral arrangement. Once at the desired location, the floral arrangement
 is removed from the support and to its final designation. This apparatus
 drastically reduces the chance and possibility of marring or damaging the
 particular arrangement by reducing physical contact between the florist
 and the floral arrangement.
 While the invention has been particularly shown and described with
 reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled
 in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without
 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.