Abstract:
A freestanding companion system with an organizational base, table, connecting, holding and adjusting mechanisms for use beside any seating or reclining furniture is disclosed. The base provides ballast for attachments, including a table, and provides areas for storing desired supplies. The connecting devices and mechanisms allow positioning of a table and other attachments in relation to the base and to the seating/reclining furniture. The table has the following adjustment features: it slides from left to right; it is adjustable closer or further away from the user; it is tiltable, past perpendicular; it swivels/rotates about its vertical support; and it is adjustable in height. Accessories can be added to the freestanding companion system at the base, table, and to the upright supports.

Description:
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of devices to support objects adjacent to a person who is in a seated or reclining position, i.e. convenience tables. More particularly, the present invention relates to convenience tables that are multi-functional, freestanding, adjustable, and attractive. 
     The field of convenience tables is dominated by devices that are designed for a single purpose or a very narrow range of applications. Examples of such tables are end tables, coffee tables, book holders, foldaway tables that attach to furniture, those for use with hospital beds, craft tables, snack and TV trays. Many of these tables are lightweight and easily tipped. 
     One of the drawbacks of the support surfaces provided by end tables is the inconvenient location of the table surface relative to an occupant of the seating unit. The table surface of an end table is placed beside rather than directly in front of a seated occupant. The occupant must twist to retrieve a plate or glass from the end table, or twist to eat from the plate placed on the end table. 
     Use of coffee tables also requires one to lean forward. Even those tables that have a mechanism to move a portion of the coffee table into closer proximity to the user require leaning forward while raising or lowering the moveable portion. 
     A similar problem exists with the use of snack trays, also called TV trays. The tray legs prevent the user of being able to position the tray close enough to use, for eating, writing, or other activities, without having to lean over. This puts stress on the user&#39;s back, causing pain for many people. In order to move the tray to rise from the seat, the user must lift the tray up and forward or twist to the side to re-position it out of the way. Again, this is difficult for many people. Use of a TV tray is also difficult, if not impossible, when seated in a recliner with an extended footrest, or in bed. 
     Hospital bed trays have an extended support leg that is often too high a profile for most beds in homes, will not work with a water bed at all, and interferes with placement in front of or beside most chairs, especially those with extended footrests. 
     Book holders are not designed to be supportive of dishes, games, and other objects in a level position. 
     Craft tables are usually designed with pre-determined bulky cavities that are often not adaptable for other uses. 
     Foldaway tables must be cleared of all items before being removed from in front of the user. This may require the assistance of a second person, therefore is not an option for many people. 
     Many of these tables do not provide storage areas for supplies needed for activities, such as magazines or papers, remote controls, writing, art, or eating utensils, an ice bucket, or plants. They also do not provide for the attachment of additional accessories, such as a magnifying glass, a light, an electronic game holder, a phone holder, an umbrella, or fishing rod holder. 
     Many of these devices are largely utilitarian in design and lack a pleasing appearance. Further, most of these devices are designed for use exclusively inside a living space or business, or are designed exclusively for outdoor use. 
     An adjustable table as shown in L. Posly, U.S. Pat No. 5,144,898 (expired), has a T-shaped base as ballast with an extension leg that does not fit under or in front of many chairs (rockers, recliners) prohibiting placement of the table top in proper relationship to the user. This table is to be ‘mountable’ to chairs. The T-shaped base has no other purpose than support. 
     A cabinet and table assembly for use with seating apparatus shown in F. Cauffiel, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,599 &amp; 5,839,780, and table with movable top surface shown in S. Hoffman, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,503,086 &amp; 5,549,052, each provide a horizontally disposed table surface in front or beside the user, but no provision is allowed for a tiltable surface for reading or writing. 
     Tables with base plates shown in F. Cauffiel, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,606,917, 5,606,918, 5,479,865, and 5,293,825, will be supported only when the base plate is placed under a support of a chair leg (or wheel) and thus will not stand alone. These tables rely upon the weight of a seating apparatus for stabilization and supporting means. These tables will not adapt to use with rocking chairs, lawn chairs, nor chairs on rollers or castors. 
     A table attached to a chair is shown in D. Ervin U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,702 with a mechanism that is mounted to the bottom frame of the chair, with the table to be stored under the chair, then pulled out and pivoted to a vertical position for use. This table is limited to the chair to which it is bolted, and the mechanism can not be transferred to all designs of chairs, i.e. rockers, platform rockers, four-legged chairs, lawn chairs, wheelchairs, chairs on rollers or castors, nor beds. There are only two basic positions for the table, a fold-away position and vertically extending in front of the chair. The table support leg must be re-positioned from horizontal to vertical for use. Thus it is not designed to be in a ready—to—use position. 
     Thus, there exists the need for an attractive freestanding companion system with an accessory of a table, that stands alone, that is positional on the left or right side of a multiplicity of seats or reclining furniture, that provides a storage area, that is easily adjusted for height and position, that has a movable table top area that is easily adjusted to a level position, tilted position, shifted right to left, located closer or further from the user, and swivel from in front of the user to the side for ease of movement from a seated or reclining position, without lifting or removing anything on the surface of the table. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a freestanding adjustable convenience system having a fully adjustable table surface, provides a storage area, stands alone with an acceptable degree of stability, is usable on the left or right side of any piece of furniture designed for sitting or reclining, has adjustment mechanisms to change configurations and be re-secured with a minimum of effort, is designed so that other attachments may be easily added, is attractive as an added piece of fliriture, and is suited for use both indoors and outdoors. 
     The first object of the present invention is to provide a convenience system incorporating a base providing a storage area and a usable table surface for use alone or beside any piece of furniture designed for sitting or reclining. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a convenience system that is freestanding, without being attached to a floor, wall, or any other piece of furniture or object, with an acceptable degree of stability. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a convenience system, which provides a usable table surface in both the conventional lateral position of an end table and a position more accessible for an occupant of a seating unit, and to do so without sacrificing the usual functions provided by end tables. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that is adjustable as to the position of the table surface in reference to the storage unit, adjustable in height, distance from user, and placement on either the left or right hand side. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that has a level table surface. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that has a table surface that is easily tilted to varying degrees, and even beyond perpendicular. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that has a table surface that is horizontally adjustable, being slideably adjustable from side to side. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that has a table surface that is horizontally adjustable, being adjusted for proximity to user, as in closer or further away. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that has a table surface that is pivotal about the support means to allow the user to easily swing the table surface out of the way to move to and from the seated or reclining position. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that will provide storage of desired objects. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that is adaptable for additional attachments and other accessories. Some of the accessory items for the table top can include, but not limited to, book holders, page holders, drawers, trays for craft supplies, wrist rests, cup holders, lights or fans, electronic equipment holders, pencil holders, sunshade and table extensions. Other accessories that can be added to the convenience system base are removable liner, lids, self-watering planter, dome plant cover, plant trellis, heaters for plants, wire racks, night light, misting system, wheels. Attachments or accessories that can be attached to the Freestanding Convenience System are umbrella, lights, fishing pole holder, fans, cup holder, mirror, magnifying glass, and many others. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that will stand alone for use as an easel, with the system base providing a storage area for art supplies or a seat with a lid on the base cavity. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that will have adjustment mechanisms futnctional with a minimum of effort. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that is attractive as an added piece of furniture and does not have to be stored when not particularly in use. 
     It is also a further object of the present invention to provide a convenience system that is suited for use both indoors and outdoors. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 shows an isometric assembled view of the freestanding companion system. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of the parts comprising the freestanding companion system. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric view of the parts that move in order to tilt the table. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the freestanding companion system, as the table would be positioned in front of a person seated in chair, 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged cut through view of the telescoping, rotating and clamping parts of the mechanisms. 
     FIG. 6 is a top view indicating various movements of the freestanding companion system. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       10  base 
       11  tower 
       12  concave cavity 
       13  ribs 
       14  points 
       20  extension apparatus mechanism 
       21  ring shaped extension section 
       22  fulcrum point means 
       23  extension outside telescoping upright 
       24  extension support section 
       30  extension apparatus mechanism 
       31  ring shaped extension section 
       32  fulcrum point means 
       33  extension outside telescoping upright 
       34  extension support section 
       40  inside telescoping upright 
       41  bearing surface 
       50  outside telescoping upright 
       52  top end of upright  50   
       57  top end of outside telescoping upright  50   
       60  linkage 
       61  upper end of linkage  60   
       62  crossing segment of linkage  60   
       70  spring clamp 
       71  elongated hole of spring clamp  70   
       72  upper leaf portion of  70   
       73  lower leaf portion of  70   
       80  spring support 
       82  tubular shaped portion of spring support  80   
       83  circular end of spring support  80   
       86  spring support 
       87  loose curved end of  82  and  88   
       88  tubular shaped portion of spring support  86   
       89  circular end of spring support  86   
       90  table 
       91  elongated clamping members with internal circular channels underneath table  90   
       92  other—than—circular—shaped grooves underneath table  90   
       93  slot on edge of table  90   
       95  tilted position of table  90   
       110  U-shaped part 
       111  open ends of part  110   
       112  open end of part  110   
       113  spacer 
       123  adjusting mechanism means 
       124  handle, locked position 
       125  handle position, unlocked position 
       126  inner clamping segment of  123   
       151  adjusting mechanism means 
       152  inner section of adjusting mechanism means  151   
       153  outer section of adjusting mechanism means  151   
       154  tapered outside surface of  152   
       155  tapered inside surface of  153   
       156  threads of adjusting mechanism means  151   
       200  umbrella accessory shown in phantom 
       210  unattached chair shown in phantom 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, a Freestanding Companion System, comprising of a base, a table, an extension apparatus mechanism, a table support assembly mechanism, a U-shaped part and a spacer, and an adjusting mechanism means. 
     FIG. 1 shows an assembled view in isometric form of the Freestanding Companion System. The base  10  provides support, stability, and will hold items for personal organization. Base  10  can be manufactured from a number of materials, but must have sufficient mass and weight to provide a low center of gravity and stability for the rest of the invention and attached accessories. Base  10  sets on a floor, or other surface upon which the invention is situated. 
     Base  10  comprising of a tower  11  that has an inner concave cavity  12  starting at the top and is centered on the tower&#39;s axis. The cavity  12  extends down through most of base  10 &#39;s height with walls that taper toward the center and end at a mostly flat bottom. The outside of the tower  11  of base  10  has half-round cylindrical shapes that create ribs  13  about the tower&#39;s diameter. The ribs  13  do not extend to the bottom or the top of the tower  11 , and are placed on surfaces of the tower  11  that do extend to the top and bottom of the tower  11 . The outside concave surfaces of tower  11  create points  14  to index items, which will be positioned around the outside of the tower  11 . 
     An extension apparatus mechanism (referenced as  20  in FIG. 2) is comprised of an extension outside telescoping upright  23  fixedly attached to a support piece with a ring shaped extension section  21  and an extension support section  24 , and an inside telescoping upright  40  affixed telescopically to extension outside telescoping upright  23  with an adjusting mechanism for vertical and/or pivotal positioning. A like extension apparatus mechanism is comprised of an extension outside telescoping upright  33  fixedly attached to a support piece with a ring shaped extension section  31  and an extension support section  34 , and an inside telescoping upright  40  affixed telescopically to extension outside telescoping upright  23  with an adjusting mechanism for vertical and/or pivotal positioning. Ring sections like  21  and  31  will slide on and around the bottom of tower  11 , with a first ring section bearing on the bottom of ribs  13 . Additional ring sections will come to bear on the bottom of the preceding ring section to create a stack of ring sections. Ring sections can also be placed above the ribs. Support pieces like  21 / 24  and  31 / 34  can be a flat plate cut in a ring shape, a solid bar or square bar or tubing bent into a ring shape. Figures show these support pieces as a solid bar. 
     The extension apparatus mechanisms are rotationally encircling base  10  so that attachments are moved rotationally about the axis of base  10  for positioning. Such attachments include the table and other accessory items, such as, but not limited to, an umbrella or document holder. 
     The number of extension apparatus mechanisms that can be stacked around tower  11  depends on the ring sections vertical thickness and the length of the ribs  13 . 
     Each extension apparatus mechanism has a fulcrum point means, such as  22  and  32 , at lowest end of the extension outside telescoping upright that makes contact with the floor or other surface upon which the invention is placed, that leverages and increases the effectiveness of base  10  to aid in the stability of all uprights and their attachments, of the table, and any objects which may be placed on or attached to the table or into any of the channels, grooves, or slots of the table. 
     The table  90  is supported by an extension apparatus mechanism, by means of the telescoping uprights  40  and  50  and attached supports. The table  90  can be manufactured from a number of materials. Lighter weight materials will prevent an overload for the base and connecting mechanisms. The table  90  underneath surface has a series of elongated clamping members with an internal circular channel  91  to entrap a table support assembly mechanism, as well as of additional accessories. The items entrapped in channels  91  will slide inside the channels and will rotate about the axis of channels  91 . 
     A series of other—than—circular—shaped grooves  92  underneath table  90  between channels  91  will entrap a non-rotating attachment mechanism means of accessories that will slide and will not rotate. Such accessories might include, but are not limited to, a pencil drawer, a cup holder, a document holder. 
     Edge slot  93  of table  90  will entrap a non-rotating attachment mechanism means of accessory items that will allow these items to slide in the slot, but will not rotate on axis of the slot. Such accessories might include, but are not limited to, a cup holder, a magnifying glass, a document holder, a light, a fan. 
     Channels  91 , grooves  92 , and slots  93  start on one side of a table  90  and continue to the opposite side in a straight line. 
     FIG. 1 further illustrates the Freestanding Companion System to be assembled in such a manner as to be positioned on either the left or right side of a person in any seated or reclining position. The design provides an acceptable degree of stability and allows the invention to be used alone or near any seat, and is especially adaptable beside reclining chairs and beds. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exploded view, in the isometric form, of individual parts. The individual segments of extension apparatus mechanisms  20  and  30  are more visible. 
     The ring sections like  21  and  31  will slide over and around the bottom of tower  11  of base  10 , until they come to bear on the bottom of ribs  13  and will be indexed into place by the points  14 . This will make less friction for ring sections like  21  and  31  to rotate, since the amount of material making contact between the ring sections and the tower  11  is minimized. To entrap the ring sections like  21  and  31  under the ribs  13 , the U-shaped part  110  and spacer  113  are secured to the tower  11  on the same plane and in such a manner as to create an entrapping area to hold the ring sections in place and minimize the clearance between the contact surfaces of the U-shaped part  110 , spacer  113 , the ring sections like  21  and  31  and the bottom ends of the ribs  13 , without restricting the independent rotation of the ring sections about the axis of base  10 . 
     The open ends  111  and  112  of the U-shaped part  110  will allow for additional attachment of accessories, such as, but not limited to, a second base, wheels and handles for movement of the invention, additional tables on both sides of the seated or reclining person, or bracing to increase the stability of the freestanding companion system, including the table and accessories. 
     The inside telescoping upright  40  is inserted into vertical support members like extension outside telescoping uprights  23  and  33  by passing through the opening in an adjusting mechanism means  123 . 
     The adjusting mechanism means  123  is secured to the upper end of vertical support members like extension outside telescoping uprights  23  and  33 . When the handle  124  is in the closed position, then the inside telescoping upright  40  is held at a set height until a readjustment is executed. The pictured adjusting mechanism means  123  is fashioned after U.S Pat. No. 4,744,690 to Hsieh, which is public domain. 
     An adjusting mechanism means  151 , which is secured to the bottom end of outside telescoping upright  50 , is slid over the top end of inside telescoping upright  40 . The relaxing of the braking action of adjusting mechanism means  151  with a twisting action allows for the rotation of the table  90  around the common axis of telescoping uprights  40  and  50 . The pictured adjusting mechanism means  151  is fashioned after U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,484 to Graham, which is public domain. 
     A table support assembly mechanism comprising spring support  80 , spring clamp  70 , linkage  60 , spring support  86 , outside telescoping upright  50  and supporting table  90  will travel along with and horizontally around the vertical axis of inside telescoping upright  40 . The assembly of linkage  60  with the spring clamp  70  is accomplished by inserting the upper end  61  of linkage  60  through the elongated hole  71  in spring clamp  70  before securing the lower circular end  89  of spring support  86  to the upper end  61  of linkage  60 . The outside telescoping upright  50  is inserted through that same elongated hole  71  of spring clamp  70  in such a manner as to create a 90° angle between outside telescoping upright  50  and crossing segment  62  of linkage  60  before the top end  57  of outside telescoping upright  50  is closed off with the attachment of spring support  80  by securing the circular end  83  to outside telescoping upright  50 . Spring supports  80  and  86  can be made out of several materials, such as wire or sheet from a springy metal or plastic type material. 
     The tubular shaped portions  82  and  88  of spring supports  80  and  86  and the segment  62  of linkage  60  are shown in a parallel pattern. This may not always be the case in all applications. If circular ends  83  and  89  are rotated equally before being secured to upper ends of outside telescoping upright  50  and linkage  60 , then the segment  62  will be other than parallel to  83  and  89 , changing the location of spring clamp  70  in relationship to the user. This would have the effect of changing the reach for a person to execute the tilt of the table. Either one or both of the spring supports  80  and  86  can be rotated about their axis  83  and  89  to change the position of the loose curved end  87  in relationship to the user. 
     The enlarged isometric assembly view, FIG. 3, shows that when both linkage  60  and the outside telescoping upright  50  are inserted through the elongated hole  71 , so that crossing segment  62  and outside telescoping upright  50  are at 90° angles to each other as shown, they will be kept tightly held with the tension of spring clamp  70 , which always tries to spring the leaves  72  and  73  further apart. Spring clamp  70  can be made out of several materials, such as wire or sheet from a springy metal or plastic type material. 
     When the tension of spring clamp  70  is relaxed by moving the leaves  72  and  73  toward each other with a pinching action, the entrapped crossing segment  62  is loosely attached to outside telescoping upright  50 . The relaxed spring clamp  70  and crossing segment  62  will travel together vertically, as indicated by Arrows D, up or down outside telescoping upright  50 , which will pull or push linkage  60  and the spring support  86 . This pulling or pushing will force the table to rotate about the common axis of the tubular shaped portion  82  of spring support  80 , and the circular channel  91  in which it is placed on the underneath side of the table, to a different position. The tubular shaped portion  88  of spring support  86  will also rotate inside the circular channel  91  on the bottom of the table in which it is placed. The crossing segment  62  will rotate about its axis inside of spring clamp  70 . This series of rotations will bring the table to a different angle of tilt. 
     FIG. 4 shows a view of the Freestanding Companion System placed to the right side of an unattached chair  210  shown in phantom, along with accessory umbrella  200 , shown in phantom behind chair  210  and inserted in the extension outside telescoping upright  33 . Table  90  is shown in front of the seat of the chair  210 . Shown in FIG. 4 are the above mentioned parts to make the adjustment of table  90  from a horizontal plane, as shown, to a tilted position  95  as indicated with Arrow A, and to adjust the table  90  height as indicated with Arrow B. 
     FIG. 4 shows table  90  in its normal position with its top surface parallel to the floor, or other surface on which the invention is located. The tilted position  95  shown in phantom of table  90 , where the table is rotated around the axis of the tubular shaped portion of spring support  80  to the point that the table top surface is beyond perpendicular to the floor, is obtained by moving spring clamp  70  near the top of outside telescoping upright  50 , as shown in phantom. The angle of tilt can be stopped at any location between the horizontal position  90  and the tilt position  95 . The rotation of table  90  can also be tilted by moving spring support  86  of linkage  60  to another channel  91  that is closer to spring support  80 . 
     Adjusting the height of table  90  is accomplished by releasing the braking action of adjusting mechanism means  123  by swinging the handle from the locked position  124  to the unlocked position  125  shown in phantom. This will loosen the friction grip of the adjusting mechanism means  123  so that the inside telescoping upright  40  will freely move up or down through extension outside telescoping upright  23  in a telescoping manner. After the desired table height is achieved, it is secured by re-tightening the adjusting mechanism means  123  by returning the handle to position  124 . 
     Table  90  is rotated about the common axis of uprights  23 ,  40  and  50  while retaining the same plane that is parallel to the floor, by releasing the braking action with a twisting of the adjusting mechanism means  151  and reversing the twisting action to re-tightening the adjusting mechanism means once the table has been rotated to a desired position. 
     The adjustment, indicated with Arrow C, of table  90 , shown in a horizontal plane, toward or away from a person seated in a chair  210  adjacent to the invention, is provided by selecting the appropriate circular channels  91  into which spring supports  80  and  86  are placed. 
     The outside telescoping upright  50  and linkage  60  are connected to the table  90  with spring supports  80  and  86  that fit tightly inside any of the table circular channels  91  because of the tubular shaped portion  88  trying to spring to a larger diameter. The spring support  80  is secured to the top end of outside telescoping upright  50 . The spring support  86  is secured to the top end of linkage  60 . 
     Spring supports  80  and  86  are each released from the tension inside any of the circular channels  91 , by pulling down on the loose curved end  87  in order to slide them in or out, or side—to—side of any of the circular channels  91 . The sides of circular channels  91  will be flexible enough to assist the spring supports  80  and  86  or other rigid circular items to slip from side—to—side or snap in—and—out. 
     Many types of public domain hardware, such as snap buttons, braking clamps, friction clamps, and spring clamps can perform the same or similar function as adjusting mechanism means  123  and  151  and spring clamp  70 . 
     The adjusting mechanism means  151  shown in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 5 as inner segment  152  and an outer segment  153 . The rotation of the table is achieved by the twisting of segment  153  of the adjusting mechanism means  151 , so that it rotates on the threads  156  and relaxes the braking action. 
     The cut through view in FIG. 5 reveals that outside telescoping upright  50  extends some distance into segment  152  where they are secured to each other. Segment  153 , which is threaded over and around segment  152 , has a braking action around inside telescoping upright  40  because the tapered outside surfaces  154  of segment  152  will make contact with the tapered inside surfaces  155  of segment  153 , when segment  153  is twisted on the threads  156 . 
     FIG. 5, an enlarged cut though view, also reveals a bearing surface  41  for rotation that is created and maintained by gravity where the bottom of spring support  80  and the top of inside telescoping upright  40  meet inside of outside telescoping upright  50 . 
     The cut through view of adjusting mechanism means  123  also reveals that extension outside telescoping upright  23  extends into and is affixed to the interior of adjusting mechanism means  123 . The inner clamping segment  126  is around inside telescoping upright  40  and will loosen with the relaxing action of the handle of adjusting mechanism means  123 . The table is adjusted in height and rotated with the adjusting mechanism means  123 . When the desired position is obtained, the handle of the adjusting mechanism means  151  is reversed to a tightening position and that will maintain the desired height. 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the Freestanding Companion System, as the base  10  would be situated to the left of the user and the table  90  situated in front of the user, that further illustrates the options of the orientation of the extension apparatus mechanisms  20  and  30  and of table  90  to base  10 . The attachment of the telescoping uprights and support to the table  90  allows movement rotationally about the common upright axis&#39;s of the uprights as previously discussed and is indicated by Arrows E. The movement of table  90  along with the extension apparatus mechanism  20 , rotationally around the axis of base  10  as indicated by Arrows F was previously described. 
     In like manner, extension outside telescoping upright  33  rotates about the axis of base  10  as indicated by Arrows G was previously discussed. The movement inward and outward from a seated or reclining person as indicated by Arrows C was previously described. 
     Table  90  is moved from side—to—side in a horizontal plane as indicated by Arrows H with slide adjustment means by changing the location of the spring supports  80  and  86  in channels  91  under the table  90 , which has been previously discussed. 
     In summary, a freestanding companion system is assembled with one or more extension apparatus mechanisms placed with the ring shaped section around the bottom of the tower shaped base below the ribs. 
     The U-shaped part and spacer are then secured to the base directly below the ring or stack of rings. The ring or stack of rings are trapped between the ribs of the base and the U-shaped part and spacer in such a manner as to allow the ring or rings to rotate about the base independently of one another. 
     The inside telescoping upright is affixed telescopically into the extension outside telescoping upright of the extension apparatus mechanism with an adjusting mechanism for pivotal and/or vertical positioning. 
     Then the choice is made of which attachment to affix. Options include, but are not limited to, an umbrella, a document holder, a table with the table support assembly mechanism, or other attachments. 
     When a table is chosen, the adjusting mechanism means of the table support assembly mechanism is placed over the inside telescoping upright of the extension apparatus mechanism providing a second independent pivotal adjustment about the common axis of the telescoping uprights. 
     This second adjusting mechanism means enables the table and the table support assembly mechanism to rotate about the common axis of the vertical uprights as a separate independent adjustment from the vertical adjustment. 
     After assembly the freestanding companion system is ready for immediate use as an organizer for multiple items, an easel, a document/book holder, or a display table. It is also ready to be positioned near any chair, couch, bed, hammock, or lawn furniture, in a home, office, waiting room, or outside, with the storage area in the base for needed supplies and for personal items, as desired by the user. This is a freestanding companion system that can be used by any person, whether standing, seated, reclining, or laying down. 
     Although only one configuration of the invention is shown and described in the figures, the invention is not limited to the above description and includes a variety of specific designs. It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change.