Abstract:
A table top tent with two base structures ( 12 ), each having a plurality of cylindrical receptacles ( 14 ) and means for fastening a strap ( 18 ) at each distal end whereby the strap can encompass an end of a table ( 20 ) is disclosed. The straps ( 18 ) have mating lengths of hook and loop material ( 26 ) positioned thereon as means for fixedly holding the tightened strap ( 18 ) together. The base structures ( 12 ) are used to hold the bottom portion of the canopy ( 24 ) support poles ( 22 ). The top portions of the poles ( 22 ) are attached to the weather resistant canopy ( 24 ) having pockets ( 36 ) to accommodate the horizontal poles ( 28 ). The canopy ( 24 ) can be provided in a variety of color and prints. A storage bag is also provided for storing the disassembled components.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to table top tent coverings and, more specifically, to a table top tent consisting of two base structures, each having a plurality of cylindrical stems and means for fastening a strap at each distal end whereby said strap can encompass an end of the table. The straps have lengths of hook and loop material positioned thereon with mating members of hook and loop material positioned on each distal end which can be selectively fastened to the mating member as means for fixedly holding the tightened strap. The base structures are used to hold the bottom portion of the canopy support poles. The top portions of the poles are attached to the weather resistant canopy having pockets to accommodate the poles. The canopy can be provided in a variety of colors and prints. A storage bag is also provided for storing the disassembled components. 
   The table top tent of the present invention is erected above a table top to provide shade, prevent sun glare, protect from falling debris, provide shelter from light rain or drizzle and protected open foods from spoilage due to direct sun light. The tabletop tent of the present invention is easily assembled and disassembled and is easily stored or transported. The device can be used in the back yard, camping trip, hunting and fishing trips, beach, park, pool side or any where an out-doors table is set up. The canopy portion of the table top tent of the present invention when set upon a tabletop reaches out to the sides on the angled poles, covering any persons seated at the table. 
   While other tabletops tents may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. The tabletop tent of the present invention consisting of base structures, each having support stanchions and strap receiving slots. The slots allow a strap to be fixedly attached to the base so the base can be fastened to the table. Each strap has lengths of hook and loop with mating hook and loop material positioned on the distal end providing fastening means for the base structures. The top portions of the poles are attached to pockets within the canopy of weather resistant fabric. The canopy can be provides in a variety of colors and prints. A convenient storage bag is also provided. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention discloses a table top tent with two base structures, each having a plurality of cylindrical receptacles and means for fastening a strap at each distal end whereby the strap can encompass an end of a table. The straps have mating lengths of hook and loop material positioned thereon as means for fixedly holding the tightened strap together. The base structures are used to hold the bottom portion of the canopy support poles. The top portions of the poles are attached to the weather resistant canopy having pockets to accommodate the horizontal poles. The canopy can be provided in a variety of colors and prints. A storage bag is also provided for storing the disassembled components. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable structure that can be mounted to a table to provide shelter from the elements. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable structure that when mounted to a tabletop will extend over those seated at said table. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable structure that can be easily attached to any sized table. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable structure having a canopy comprised of a pliable water-resistant material. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable structure having a canopy with sleeves extending longitudinally for housing support elements therein. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of poles forming a support structure for said canopy. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a base structure for receiving the support elements for said canopy. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide apertures on each distal end of said base structure for receiving a strap providing means for releasably fastening said base structure to a table. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a strap having hook and loop material fastened thereto with mating members of hook and loop material positioned on each distal end. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable structure comprised of a base structure that is fastened to a table by encompassing the table top with a strap and extending the strap distal ends through the base structure apertures and pulling the ends until the desired tension is achieved whereupon the distal ends having hook and loop material are mated with the mating members of hook and loop material fixedly attached to said strap. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a base structure releasably fastened to a table top having receiving members positioned thereon whereby poles can be mounted thereto forming a support structure for said canopy. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a canopy having poles located within canopy sleeves and wherein said poles have means positioned on each distal end for attaching said canopy poles to the poles of the support structure. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a table top tent that secures to the top of an out-door table providing shelter from falling debris, sun glare and provides shade from direct sun exposure and certain rain conditions. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tabletop tent that can be provided in a variety of colors and pattern prints. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a table top tent that is assembled and disassembled and stored within a provided storage bag that is easily and conveniently stowed away when not in use. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a table top tent consisting of two base structures, each having three cylindrical posts and two slots. The slots allow a strap to be fixedly attached to the base so the base can be fastened to the table. Each strap consists of hook and loop strips for a secure fit. The base posts are used to hold the bottom portion of three cylindrical poles. The center most stem and pole are vertical and the other two are angled. The top portion of the poles are attached to the canopy of weather resistant fabric and consists of pockets to accommodate the poles. The canopy can be provided in a variety of colors and prints. A convenient storage bag is also provided. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention mounted to a table. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the base portion of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention assembled without canopy. 
       FIG. 6  is a detail view of the present invention&#39;s canopy pockets. 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the present invention&#39;s canopy pockets. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the present invention assembled. 
       FIG. 9  is a frontal view of the present invention&#39;s base. 
       FIG. 10  is a detail view of the hook and loop fastener of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the hook and loop fastener of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a frontal view of an alternate fastening element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of the alternate fastening element of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a sectional view of an alternate fastener of the present invention. 
   

   LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
   With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.
           10  table top tent  10  of the present invention     12  base structure     14  post receptacle     16  slot     18  strap     20  table     22  upright pole     24  canopy     26  hook and loop fasteners     28  horizontal pole     30  pocket of canopy     32  elbow     34  sewn area     36  fasteners     38  edge.       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims. 
   Turning to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is an illustrative view of the table top tent  10  of the present invention in use. The table top tent  10  of the present invention discloses a tabletop tent which includes two base structures  12  each having three cylindrical post receptacles  14  and two slots  16  which base structures  12  are disposed on the ends of the table top. The slots  16  allow a strap  18  to be fixedly attached to the base  12  so the base can be fastened to the table  20 . The strap  18  has lengths of hook and loop positioned thereon so that mating members of hook and loop material are positioned on each distal end which can be selectively fastened to the mating portion as means for fixedly holding the tightened strap. The base post receptacles  14  are used to hold the bottom portion of three cylindrical upright poles  22 . The center-most stem and pole are substantially vertical and the other two are angled. The top portion of the poles  22  is attached to the canopy  24  made of weather resistant fabric and consists of pockets to accommodate the poles  22 . The canopy  24  can be provided in a variety of colors and prints. A convenient storage bag is also provided. 
   Turning to  FIG. 2 , shown therein is a perspective view of the table top tent  10  mounted to a table  20 . The tabletop tent  1   a  of the present invention discloses two base structures  12  each having three cylindrical post receptacles  14  and two slots. The slots allow a strap  18  to be fixedly attached to the base  12  so the base can be fastened to the table  20 . Each strap  18  consists of hook and loop strips for a secure fit. The base post receptacles  14  are used to hold the bottom portion of three cylindrical poles  22 . The centermost stem and pole are substantially vertical and the other two are angled. The top portion of the poles  22  are attached to the canopy  24  of weather resistant fabric and consist of pockets to accommodate the poles. 
   Turning to  FIG. 3 , shown therein is a perspective view of the base portion  12  of the table tap tent  10 . As shown, the base structure  12  includes three posts  14 , two of which are angled and one vertical, with a strap  18  attached to the base unit with slots  16  for receiving straps  18  with hook and loop fasteners  26  on the ends thereof. 
   Turning to  FIG. 4 , shown therein is a perspective view of the table top tent  10 . The base structure  12  includes three posts  14 , two of which are angled and one vertical, with a strap  18  attached to the base unit. Three generally upright poles  22  are inserted within the posts  14  and three horizontal poles  28  attach as shown. Also shown are slot  16  and the hook and loop fastener  26 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 5 , shown therein is a perspective view of the table top tent  10  assembled without canopy. The two base structures  12  each include three posts  14 , two of which are angled and one vertical, with straps  18  attached to the base units. Three generally upright poles  22  are inserted within the posts  14  and three horizontal poles  28  attach as shown. Also shown are slot  16  and the hook and loop fastener  26 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 6 , shown therein is a detail view of the canopy pockets  30  of the table top tent  10 . Shown is a view of the canopy  24  pockets  30  and poles  28  therein. The horizontal pole  28  slides through the canopy&#39;s pockets  30  joining to the upright pole  22  by means of a pole elbow  32 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 7 , shown therein is a sectional view of the canopy pockets  30  of the table top tent  10 . Shown is a view of the canopy pockets  30  and poles  28  therein. The pole  28  is shown resting in the canopy pocket  30 . The canopy pocket  30  is attached to the inside of the canopy  24  by the method of sewing  34 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 8 , shown therein is a perspective view of the table top tent  10  assembled. The tabletop tent  10  of the present invention includes two base structures  12  each having three cylindrical posts  14  and two slots. The slots allow a strap  18  to be fixedly attached to the base  12  so the base can be fastened to the table. Each strap  18  includes hook and loop strips  26  for a secure fit. The base posts  14  are used to hold the bottom portion of three cylindrical poles  22 . The center most stem and pole are vertical and the other two are angled. The top portion of the poles is attached to the canopy  24  of weather resistant fabric and consists of pockets to accommodate the poles. Also shown is elbow  32 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 9 , shown therein is a frontal view of the base  12  of the table top tent  10 . The tabletop tent  10  of the present invention includes a base structure  12  having three cylindrical posts  14  and two slots  16 . The slots  16  allow a strap  18  to be fixedly attached to the base  12  so the base can be fastened to the table  20 . Each strap  18  includes hook and loop strips  26  for a secure fit. The base posts  12  are used to hold the bottom portion of three cylindrical poles. 
   Turning to  FIG. 10 , shown therein is a detail view of the hook and loop fastener  26  of the table top tent  10 . Shown is the strap  18  looped through the base&#39;s slot  16  and attaching to itself by the mating of the hook and loop fasteners  26  on the end. The fasteners  26  are either sewn or glued on to the strap  18 . Angled post  14  is also shown. 
   Turning to  FIG. 11 , shown therein is a sectional view of the hook and loop fastener  26  of the table top tent  10 . Shown is the strap  18  looped through the base  12  slot  16  and attaching to itself by the mating of the hook and loop fasteners  26  on the end. The fasteners  26  are either sewn or glued on to the strap  18 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 12 , shown therein is a frontal view of an alternate fastening element of the table top tent  10 . The tabletop tent  10  of the present invention includes two base structures  12  each having three cylindrical posts  14  and three slots. The slots allow a strap  18  to be fixedly attached to the base  12  so the base can be fastened to the table  20 . The strap  18  is looped through a frictional buckle like fastener  36  incorporated into the base  12 . The base posts  14  are used to hold the bottom portion of three cylindrical poles  22 . The centermost stem and pole  22  are vertical and the other two are angled. The top portion of the poles is attached to the canopy  24  of weather resistant fabric and consists of pockets to accommodate the poles. Elbow  32  is also shown. 
   Turning to  FIG. 13 , shown therein is an enlarged view of the alternate fastening element  36  of the table top tent  10 . Shown is an frictional additional fastener  36  of the table top tent  10  which are two adjacent slots  16  located on the base structure  12  end where the strap  18  will feed through creating a loop that will provide a shortening and lengthening adjustment for the strap. 
   Turning to  FIG. 14 , shown therein is a sectional view of an alternate fastener  36  of the table top tent  10 . Shown is an additional frictional fastener  36  of the table top tent  10  which are two slots  16  located on the base structure&#39;s  12  end where the strap  18  will feed through creating a loop that will provide a shortening, lengthening and position locking adjustment for the strap having a strap frictional locking edge  38  therein.