Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a portable table that can be anchored to an earthen surface. The portable table has a top portion comprising opposing surfaces, and at least one stand member. The stand member may be secured to the top portion by a securing member in a disassembled state to facilitate transportation of the portable table. In addition, the top portion may include an opening capable of receiving and holding drinking containers

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to portable tables, and more specifically to a portable table that can be anchored to a surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable tables are well known in the art. They are generally smaller in size than conventional tables or collapsible, so as to facilitate transportation and storage. These include card tables, tailgate party tables, convertible table/benches, collapsible picnic tables, etc. Many people employ portable tables when they are outside. These tables are often used to keep food, beverages, personal belongings, etc. 
     Portable tables heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist of many materials and configurations. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,249,773, 5,14,441 and 5,367,964 are examples of different configurations of portable tables. However, these portable tables often fail to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts because they are too large to be transported easily, are hard to store, are made of many parts, can be easily lost, or are too unstable to be placed on uneven ground. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,835 (Ciulli et al) describes a table having a single supporting leg to be anchored to the ground and a tiltable top panel. Because of its wide ring feature, it is believed that the table might be hard to store. Additionally, the tilting nature of the top panel might make it susceptible to spillage of contents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,004 (Vashon et al.) describes a portable table that can be anchored into the ground. However, the disclosed table is difficult to assemble due to its high number of removable parts. 
     Given the cumbersome size, weight and configurations of known portable tables, a small, easily transportable, easily stored, table comprised of small number of parts, and capable of being anchored into an earthen surface so as to provide added stability would be an improvement over the art as such a table would provide increased enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a new portable outdoor table that overcomes some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a new portable outdoor table that can be anchored to a surface. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a new portable outdoor table with a minimal number of parts that can be anchored to a surface so as to provide increased stability. How these and other objects are accomplished will become apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention involves a portable table that can be anchored to an earthen surface. The portable table has a top portion having a first side and a second side. At least one stand member is attached to the second side of the top portion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The qualities and advantages of the portable outdoor table disclosed in the present invention will be readily apparent if the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable outdoor table made in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the portable table of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG.  3 . is an underneath perspective of the table in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the assembly of the table. 
     FIG.  4 . is a side perspective of the table in accordance with the present invention, illustrating a telescoping stand member. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6. illustrate typical uses of certain embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the invention involves a portable table  10  which can be anchored to an earthen surface  12 . The portable table  10  has a top portion  14  having a first side  16  and a second side  18 . At least one stand member  20  is attached to the second side  18  of the top portion  14 . Although the top portion  14  of the table  10  can take the form of any geometric shape including, in particular, a circular or oblong shape, the size of the top portion  14  should be such as to allow for ease of carrying. Therefore, the top portion  14  may be no greater than approximately 12 inches at its widest point, however, top portions  14  of greater or lesser dimensions could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  4 , the at least one stand member  20  has a first end  22  and a second end  24  the first end  22  being attached to the top portion  14  and the second end  24  forming a spike. FIGS. 2 and 3 show another embodiment, where the portable table  10  includes a mounting piece  26  having a first side (not shown) and second side  28  where the first side of the mounting piece  26  is attached to the second side  18  of the top portion  14  and the first end  22  of the at least one stand member  20  is attached to the second side  18  of the top portion  14 . The attachment of the first end  22  of the stand member  20  to the mounting piece  26  can be accomplished in various ways including, for example, screwing or snapping the first end  22  of the stand member  20  into the mounting piece  26 . 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first end  22  of the stand member  20  is removably attached to the second side  18  of the top portion  14  of the portable table  10 . In a particular version of this embodiment, the first end  22  of the stand member  20  is capable of being screwed into and out of the second side  18  of the top portion  14 . 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the stand member  20  may be comprised of at least two telescoping sections that are further secured to each other to form the stand member. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the stand member sections are secured to one another using threaded inserts, interference fitting, or a pin through concentric holes formed in each stand member section. Other securing devices can be utilized as will be known to one of skill in the art upon understanding the invention. 
     In still another embodiment of the invention, a securing device  30  capable of storing the removed stand member  20  is attached to the second side  18  of the top portion  14 . The securing device  30  which may be, among other things, a clamp or a combination clamp and screw, allows one to secure the stand member  20  to the top portion  14  when the table  10  is not in use, thereby making it easier to carry the entire table  10 . The clamp may be adapted to secure various stand member configurations, for example telescoping members and the like. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1,  2  and  4 , the first end  22  of the stand member  20  has a first diameter and the second end  24  of the stand member  20  has a second diameter. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter as the stand member  20  is tapered from one end to the other. This allows the top portion  14  to have more stable support while, at the same time making it easier to anchor the stand member  20  into an earthen surface  12 . In still another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the stand member  20  is comprised of at least two sections  32 ,  34 . In this embodiment, the first section  32  of the at least two sections  32 ,  34  includes an opening  35  having a first diameter, the second section  34  of the at least two sections  32 ,  34  has a second diameter, the first diameter is greater than the second diameter, and the second section  34  of the at least two sections  32 ,  34  fits within the opening  35  of the first section  32 , thereby forming a telescoping stand member  20  that allows for the table height to be adjusted. The section members may be secured to each other using various securing devices such as threaded insert connectors; interference fit; or a pin through concentric openings formed in the each of the sections. 
     FIGS. 1,  2 ,  5  and  6  show another embodiment of the invention in which the top portion  14  of the portable table  10  is circumscribed by an edge portion  36  and the top portion includes an opening or a “cutout”  38  adjacent to the edge portion  36 . This opening or cutout  38  can serve, among other things, as a handle or beverage holder. 
     The portable table  10  made be made of any suitable material, including wood, molded plastic, steel or other metal, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     When in operation, the user detaches the stand member  20  from the second side  18  of the top portion  14 . The first end  22  of the stand member  20  is then attached either directly to the second side  18  of the top portion  14 , or to the second side  28  of the mounting piece  26 , if one is used. Should the stand member  20  be of the telescoping type or provided to be assembled in sections, the stand member  20  is adjusted to the desired height and the member  20  is secured through the use of a pin or the like (not shown). 
     Once the height of the stand member  20  has been adjusted, the user anchors the second end  24  of the stand member  20  into the ground by applying force to the first side  16  of the top portion  14 . This application of force pushes the second end  24  of the stand member  20  into the earthen surface  12 , thereby securing the table  10  in the ground  12 . 
     While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with but a few embodiments, it is understood clearly that such embodiments are by way of example and are not limiting.