Entertainment table

This invention is directed to providing an entertainment table from a readily accessible ladder, preferably an extension ladder, available in most households. In particular, the ladder is supported by a pair of saw-horse type supports at opposite ends of the ladder and various sized and shaped open-ended containers with extensions at their respective open ends are supported from and between pairs of spaced rungs of the ladder. The ladder may also be provided with an elongated planar support with one or more various sized and shaped openings therein and which planar support is supported by and along the rungs of the ladder or by and along the rails of the ladder. Also, the ladder may be provided with a plurality of support plates aligned side by side and supported by the opposing rails of the ladder with some of said support plates having a shaped opening therein. Various sized and shaped open-ended containers with peripherally extending lips are placed within the various sized and shaped openings of the elongated planar support or the aligned side-by-side support plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a table for entertainment purposes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There have been numerous types of tables used for indoor and outdoor entertainment purposes including one or more indoor tables such as kitchen and dining room tables, folding tables, etc. or one or more picnic tables. For large gatherings of people requiring a large number of food servings, several tables may be aligned adjacent one another to provide a setting for the large number of food servings. There is a need to have a readily available table to accommodate various entertainment occasions and the use of a ladder and supports therefor as described in this specification fulfills this need. The use of a ladder and supports therefor to provide a working table for power tools is known in the art such as disclosed in U.S. 2003/0066709, U.S. 2007/0240937 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,216. However, the present invention provides a unique and easily accommodating means for an entertainment table with the use of a ladder and various, specially designed containers, trays and attachments associated therewith. No such entertainment table in the prior art presently exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main purpose of this invention is to provide an entertainment table by using a ladder or an extension ladder commonly found and available in most households. Specially designed containers, e. g., food containers, are used and supported by the rungs of the ladder. Other specially designed containers may be used and supported by extended plates with various sized openings therein which extended plates are, in turn, supported either by the rungs along the length of the ladder or by the opposing rails along the length of the ladder. Specially designed individual plates with an opening or with various sized openings therein may also be used and aligned adjacent each other; the plates being supported by the opposing rails along the length of the ladder. Various sized and shaped containers such as food containers are supported within the various sized openings of the specially designed individual plates or of the extended plates. An extension ladder either in the non-extended or extended mode can be used as an integral part of the entertainment table. Alternatively, a non-extension ladder may also be used. The entertainment table of this invention may be used for a variety of different occasions, for examples, indoor or outdoor family parties or social gatherings, church dinners or picnics, or catering services such as wedding receptions or banquets.

Other objects and advantages in the use of the entertainment table of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of which the attached drawings form a part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a prior art support system for supporting a power tool on an extension ladder1which, in turn, is supported by oppositely spaced sawhorses4.

FIG. 2shows a first embodiment of an entertainment table5of the present invention. The entertainment table5comprises a ladder1supported by oppositely spaced sawhorses4,4with a plurality of various sized containers6supported between and by oppositely spaced rungs3of the ladder1. Although sawhorses are shown as supporting the entertainment table5of this invention other support structures may also be used. The extension ladder may, for example, be a five foot aluminum ladder which extends to ten feet, an eight foot ladder which extends to sixteen feet, etc. Aluminum extension ladders vary in width but for example purposes of this invention an aluminum extension ladder with a top section width of 16½ inch and a bottom section width of 17½ inch is used. However, ladders other than extension ladders may also be used and made from materials such as wood, fiberglass, magnesium as well as aluminum. Utilizing, for example, an eight foot extension ladder1for the entertainment table5of this invention, the spaced rungs of this section of the extension ladder1will support8containers and when the extension ladder1is extended fully to16feet then the extended section of this ladder1will support an additional8containers for a total support of16containers. Each of the containers6has a pair of oppositely spaced side extensions6aand6bas shown inFIGS. 3aand3b. The oppositely spaced side extensions6aand6bof a particular container6are supported by a pair of adjacently spaced rungs3of the extension ladder1as shown inFIG. 2. The oppositely spaced side extensions6aand6bof a particular container6may overlap or underlie a side extension6aor6bof adjacently positioned containers6. The containers6may be food containers. Container7may be, for examples, an ice container or a barbecue grill.

FIGS. 3aand3bshow a typical container6which may be used with the first embodiment of the present invention and wherein6aand6bare oppositely spaced side extensions6aand6bused for supporting the container6from oppositely spaced adjacent rungs3of the extension ladder1. The container6is approximately 10 inches wide, 13½ inches in length and can vary in depth. Each of the oppositely spaced side extensions6aand6bis approximately 1½ inch wide.

FIGS. 4 and 5are directed to a second embodiment of an entertainment table5of the present invention.FIG. 4, in particular, shows an elongated support plate8with a plurality of various sized and shaped openings, e. g.,8a,8btherein.FIG. 5shows a second embodiment of an entertainment table5of the present invention wherein the elongated support plate8ofFIG. 4is supported on the rungs3and between the rails2,2of the ladder1. (In order to simplify the drawings, the bottom section of the extension ladder1has been omitted fromFIG. 5.) Within each of the openings, e. g.,8a,8ba correspondingly shaped container, e. g.,11or12, is supported therein as shown inFIG. 5. As an example, for an eight foot extension ladder1, the length of the elongated support plate8is approximately 8 feet for a first section of the extension ladder1; the width of the elongated support plate8is approximately 15 inches with a thickness of approximately 1 mil to ½ inch depending on the material of the elongated support plate8. The length for a second or extended section of the eight foot extension ladder1will be the same, i. e., 8 feet, the thickness will be the same as the first section but the width will be less, e. g., 14 inches. The elongated support plate8may be made from wood, metal or plastic.

FIGS. 6a-6bshow a side and perspective view, respectively, of a circular shaped container11which may be used in the entertainment table5ofFIG. 5. The container11has an outwardly extending circumferential lip11a for supporting it within an opening8bof the elongated support plate8.FIGS. 6c-6dshow a side and perspective view, respectively, of a rectangular shaped container or tray12which may be used in the entertainment table5ofFIG. 5. The container12has an outwardly extending circumferential lip12afor supporting it within opening8bof the elongated support plate8.FIGS. 6e-6fshow a side and perspective view, respectively, of an oblong shaped container13which may be used in the entertainment table5ofFIG. 5. The container13has an outwardly extending circumferential lip13afor supporting it within a correspondingly shaped opening (not shown) of the elongated support plate8. These three containers are only some examples of particular shaped containers that may be used with the entertainment table5of the present invention. The length of the lips11a,12aor13aof the various shaped containers may vary from ¼ inch to approximately 1 inch. Obviously, other shaped containers, with correspondingly shaped openings in the elongated support plate8, may also be used.

FIG. 7shows a cross sectional view of the entertainment table5taken along lines7-7ofFIG. 5wherein a container or tray12, having an outwardly extending circumferential lip12a, is supported within the opening8bof the elongated support plate8. The elongated support plate8is supported by the rungs3of the ladder1, one of the rungs3being shown inFIG. 7.

Referring now toFIGS. 8,9, and10. These figures show a third embodiment of the entertainment table5of this invention. InFIG. 8there is shown another elongated support plate10with downwardly bent side extensions10aand10band with various sized/shaped openings therein, only two of which are shown as10cand10d. Along the length of the support plate10between the bottom side of the plate10and each of the downwardly bent side extensions10aand10bis a strip10eand10frespectively for providing a snug fit over the opposing rails2,2of the top section of the extension ladder1should the extension be used. Each strip10eand10fis located ¼ inch below the free end of the downwardly bent side extension10aor10b(respectively), ½ inch wide and ¼ inch thick. The elongated support plate10is preferably made from stainless steel but may also be made from other materials such as aluminum, plastics, ceramics, etc. As shown inFIG. 9, the elongated support plate10is supported by the opposing rails2,2of the extension ladder1and various sized and shaped containers11,12and13are positioned within the various sized and shaped openings in the elongated support plate10.FIG. 10is a cross sectional view of the entertainment table taken along lines10-10ofFIG. 9wherein a container12, having an outwardly extending circumferentially lip12a, is supported within the opening10dof the elongated support plate10.

FIG. 11shows in a step-wise manner how the components of the entertainment table5are assembled. For the sake of simplicity, only two of the containers11and12are shown in the figure.

Referring now toFIGS. 12,13, and14. These figures show a fourth embodiment of the entertainment table5of the present invention utilizing a plurality of specially designed support plates14which support plates are supported by the opposing rails2,2along the length the extension ladder1. For the sake of simplicity, only the bottom section of the extension ladder1is shown inFIG. 12. Each of the support plates14may have a configured opening therein or no opening therein. As shown inFIG. 12and as an example only, there are nine support plates14aligned adjacent one another along the length of the ladder1; eight of the plates14have an opening therein and one of the plates14does not. Also shown inFIG. 12are several differently sized and shaped containers11,12, and13supported within a corresponding opening in a respective support plate14. Support plate14without an opening therein can serve to support serving utensils, condiment containers, glasses, beverage containers such as bottles or pitchers and/or even decorative items such as candelabra. The support plates14of this invention can be made from a number of different materials such as: stainless steel, hard or soft metals, hard or soft plastics, ceramic, marble, stone, granite, or Formica.

One of the support plates that is used in the fourth embodiment of the entertainment table5shown inFIG. 12is the rectangular shaped support plate14shown inFIGS. 13 and 14. This particular support plate14has a rectangular shaped opening14atherein and is designed to fit over the opposing rails2,2of either the top or bottom section of the extension ladder1. The support plate14has a width of12inches and a length of 18½ inches. The support plate14has a pair of downwardly extending sections14b,14bat opposite sides thereof as shown inFIGS. 13 and 14. Between the underside surface14cand each of the downwardly extending sections14aand14bis an elongated strip14dwhich is ¼ inch below the free edge14eof a respective downwardly extending section14aand14b. Each elongated strip14dis ½ inch wide and has a depth of ¼ inch. In view of these strips14b,14bon the underside of each support plate14, each support plate14is capable of fitting over the opposing rails2,2of the bottom section of an extension ladder1having a width of 17½ inches or over the opposing rails2,2of the top section of an extension ladder1having a width of 16½ inches. This particular support plate14has a central opening that is 9 inches wide and 12 inches long. However, each of the other support plates14, having a different sized and shaped opening(s) therein, has elongated strips14d,14don the bottom or underside thereof such that each such support plate14can fit over the opposing rails2,2of either the top or bottom section of the extension ladder1.

FIG. 15is a cross sectional view of the entertainment table5taken along lines12-12ofFIG. 12wherein a rectangular shaped container or tray12, having an outwardly extending peripheral lip12a, is supported within the rectangular shaped opening14aof a singular support plate14. As shown inFIG. 15, the support plate14is, in turn, positioned over and supported by the opposing rails2,2of the bottom section of the extension ladder1.

Referring now toFIGS. 16,17,18and19.FIGS. 16 and 17show two different apertured support plates15and16which can be used in conjunction with the apertured support plate14of the fourth embodiment of the entertainment table5of this invention. Support plate15has a circular opening15atherein and severally spaced non-skid pads17made from rubber or other non-skid material on the bottom side of the support plate15. Support plate16has two oblong shaped openings16aand16btherein and severally spaced non-skid pads17made from rubber or other non-skid material on the bottom side of the support plate16. Each of these support plates15and16is rectangular in shape and has overall dimensions similar to those of rectangular plate14. These plates provide more versatility to the fourth embodiment of the entertainment table5of this invention and either of these support plates can be used with the fourth embodiment of the entertainment table5of this invention. For example, it may be necessary to provide two additional apertured support plates15with a circular opening15atherein to the entertainment table5without the extra steps of removing two of the already positioned apertured plates14,14with a rectangular opening therein and, to do so, would save time and energy. Such is accomplished as shown inFIG. 18where the apertured support plate15is positioned over the fixed apertured support plate14supported on the ladder1and another apertured support plate15to be positioned over another fixed apertured support plate14supported on the ladder1. As shown inFIG. 18, a circular container11is positioned in each of the circular openings15aof the support plates15,15.FIG. 19, which shows a cross sectional view taken along lines18-18ofFIG. 18, more clearly shows the relative positioning of the container11, the apertured support plate15, the aperture support plate14, and the opposing rails2,2of the ladder1. Instead of using the support plate15on each of the support plates14support plates16may be used or alternatively a combination of one support plate15and another support plate16may be used depending on the food containers necessary. Although two particular support plates15and16are disclosed other support plates with differently sized/shaped openings may also be used.

Referring now toFIGS. 20,21and22.FIG. 20shows one example of a support plate14with a rectangular opening14atherein and with downwardly extending opposing sections14b,14bof approximately one inch in length. However, in order to cover the top and bottom sections of the extension ladder1the length of the downwardly extending opposing sections14b,14bof the support plate14shown inFIG. 21should be approximately six inches.FIG. 22shows a support plate14similar to that shown inFIG. 21but with the downwardly extending opposing sections14b,14bhaving hinges18,18so that they can be folded upwardly as indicated by the dashed lines14bb,14bbdepicted inFIG. 22. The purpose of the hinged embodiment of the support plate14is so that the support plates14can be easily stored when not in use. The embodiments of the support plate14shown inFIGS. 20,21and22are also applicable to the other support plates14having a differently shaped opening therein.

FIGS. 23 and 24show yet a fifth embodiment of the entertainment table5of the present invention which embodiment combines the features ofFIG. 2with the features ofFIG. 12. The embodiment ofFIGS. 23 and 24includes the use of the support plates14supported by the opposite rails2,2of ladder1and individual storage containers6beneath some of the containers12,13supported by the respective support plates14. Each of the storage containers6has opposite side extensions6a,6bat its open end which side extensions6a,6bare supported by a respective opposing pair of rungs3,3of ladder1. In this fifth embodiment of the entertainment table5of this invention, each of the storage containers6will have the same food item contained therein as the respective container above it, for example, as contained in container12so that when the food item in container12is depleted it can be refilled from the storage container6below it.

Finally,FIG. 25shows only one example of the entertainment table5of this invention with a tablecloth or skirt19attached thereto.

Although the use of an extension ladder has been utilized in the various embodiments of the entertainment table5of this invention other types of ladders may also be used for the entertainment table of this invention such as a single layer ladder made from wood, plastic or metal. Although conventional ladders found in a household or in construction work are used for the various embodiments of the entertainment table of this invention, other structures similar to a ladder may also be used.

Although the table of the present invention is primarily directed for use as an entertainment table, other functions for this table are also possible, for example, as a work table for storing various carpentry, electrical or plumbing hardware, fixtures or tools.

Modification of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended that the invention be not limited by the embodiments disclosed herein but that the scope of the invention be defined by the appended claims.