Abstract:
Disclosed are table accessories comprising: a first vertical beam at a first end and a second vertical beam at a second end; at least one first angled beam rotatably connected to the first vertical beam; at least one second angled beam rotatably connected to the second vertical beam; and a horizontal beam rotatably connected to both the first and the second angled beams.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is in the field of outdoor equipments, and in particular, in the field of accessories for a table. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    Going on a picnic in a park for a holiday, going to a tailgate party before a sporting event, or going to a cottage near a lake for a couple of days, or a week, and spending evenings around the picnic table with family and friends is a popular practice. During these events, when one typically uses a propane lantern to provide light at the table, the ambience is ruined by the glaring light from the lantern not to mention the loss of some valuable space on the table for the lantern to sit. A typical family, with their smartphones, tablets, wireless speakers, and not to mention parents trying to find space on the table for the other traditional camping paraphernalia such as condiments, plates, chip bowls, paper towel, etc., quickly run out of space on the table. A group of young, hard-working, outdoorsy, beer-drinking adults camping out for a long weekend discover that no one brought a bottle opener to the party. In addition, some revelers display either the national flag or the flag of their sports team. However, picnic tables are not equipped for a prominent display of the flag. 
         [0003]    Therefore, there is a need for a space-saving device to be used on a table. Preferably, the space-saving device would allow the users to decorate the table as they desire. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Disclosed are table accessories comprising: a first vertical beam at a first end and a second vertical beam at a second end; at least one first angled beam rotatably connected to the first vertical beam; at least one second angled beam rotatably connected to the second vertical beam; and a horizontal beam rotatably connected to both the first and the second angled beams. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a drawing showing an embodiment of the disclosed accessory. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a drawing showing an embodiment of a flag holder. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a drawing showing an embodiment of a car-flag adaptor and an embodiment of a tightener. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0008]    Disclosed herein are devices that connect to a table and provide a place other than the tabletop for the user to place condiments, utensils, napkins, lights, or electronic devices, or to personalize and decorate the table, for example for a holiday. The table accessory disclosed herein is configured to attach to any table with minimal effort. It spans the length of the table, which provides a convenient access to the accessory from any seat around the table. 
         [0009]    The disclosed table accessories are now discussed in view of the disclosed drawings. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the disclosed table accessory  100  in its fully extended position. This particular embodiment of the accessory  100  comprises two vertical beams  102 , for angled beams  104 , 106 , and one horizontal beam  108 . In some embodiments, the accessory  100  does not comprise the angled beams  104 , 106  and the horizontal beam  108  connects directly to the vertical beams  102 . In other embodiments, the accessory  100  does not comprise the vertical beams  102  and the horizontal beam  108  connects directly to the angled beams  104 , 106 , which in turn connect to the table. In further embodiments, the accessory  100  does not comprise the horizontal beam  108  and the angled beams  104 , 106  connect to each other in the middle. In still other embodiments, the accessory  100  only comprises the angled beams  104 , 106 , which connect to each and to the table. In some of these embodiments, there is only one angled beam  104 , 106  at either side of the table, while in other embodiments, such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , there are two angled beams  104 , 106  at each side of the table. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, for example that shown in  FIG. 1 , the vertical beam  102  and the horizontal beam  108  are sandwiched between the angled beams  104 , 106 . In other embodiments, there is a single angled beam  104  and it is sandwiched between two parallel vertical beams at one end and two parallel horizontal beams at the other end. 
         [0012]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  comprises two substantially symmetrical sides, referred to as “A SIDE” and “B SIDE.” Like elements on each side are distinguished by “A” or “B” indicators. For example vertical beam  102 A is the vertical beam  102  on the A side, whereas vertical beam  102 B is the vertical beam  102  on the B side. 
         [0013]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , each of the vertical beams  102  fits inside a bracket  110 . In embodiments where another beam connects to the table, the connecting beam fits inside the bracket  110 . In some embodiments, the vertical beam  102  is fastened to the bracket  110  using a screw and nut combination  112 . In some embodiments, the nut of the combination  112  is embedded inside the bracket  110  (such as embedded nut or a threaded hole) such that the user needs to only tighten the screw of the combination  112 . In other embodiments, the user needs to insert the screw through the holes in both the bracket  110  and the beam  102  and then insert the nut and tighten the screw and nut combination  112 . In some embodiments, the bolts used to tighten the vertical beam  102  inside the bracket  110  are used in conjunction with a threaded insert from the opposing side to fasten the structure into position. 
         [0014]    The bracket  110  is in turn affixed to the table with an affixing means, such as vice grips  114 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a screw/nut combination (not shown), or a winged nut that tightens against the table (not shown), or any other means known in the art. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the vertical beam  102  comprises a location to which at least one platform  116 , 118  is attached. In some embodiments, for example the one shown in  FIG. 1 , the platforms  116 , 118  are of different sizes, whereas in other embodiments, the platforms  116 , 118  are of the same size. In some embodiments, there is only one platform  116  or  118  on one side of the accessory  100 . In other embodiments, there is only one platform  116  or  118  on either side of the accessory  100 , for example  116 A or  118 A. In other embodiments, there is only one platform  116  or  118  on the A or B side of the accessory  100 , but two platforms  116 , 118  on the other of the A or B side of the accessory  100 . In other embodiments, for example the one shown in  FIG. 1 , there are two platforms  116 , 118  on both the A and B sides of the accessory  100 . In still other embodiments, there are more than two platforms  116 , 118  on a single vertical beam  102 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the platforms  116  and  118  are connected at an angle 180° to each other. In the embodiments having more than two platforms, the additional platforms are connected, for example, at an angle of 90° to the other angles. In some embodiments, where there are only two platforms  116 , 118  on a single vertical beam  102 , the platforms are connected at an angle of 90°. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the vertical beam  102  comprises holes where the platforms  116 , 118  are to be connected. In these embodiments, each platform  116 , 118  comprises a small rod that can be placed inside of the hole on the vertical beam  102 , thereby holding the platform  116 , 118  in place. In other embodiments, for example that shown in  FIG. 1 , a screw and nut combination  120  is used to hold the platforms  116 , 118  in place. In some of these embodiments, the screw of the combination  120  goes through one of the platforms  116 , 118 , then through the vertical beam  102 , then through the other of the platforms  116 , 118 , and then the nut of the combination  120  is used to fasten the assembly together. In other embodiments, one or both of the platforms  116 , 118  comprise an embedded nut, for example a threaded hole, into which the screw of the combination  120  screws. Other methods of holding the platforms  116 , 118  in place known in the art are also contemplated. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, one or more of the platforms  116 , 118 , for example platform  116 B in  FIG. 1 , comprises a rod  122 , which holds a roll of paper towel for convenient access. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the vertical beam  102  comprises a groove into which a back ledge of the platform  116  or  118  is inserted. This allows for greater stability of the platforms  116 , 118 . 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the platforms  116 , 118  comprise a plurality of holes arrayed around the perimeter, the middle, and/or on the vertical component, thereof to support hooks. The hooks allow objects, such as cooking utensils, to hang from the platforms  116 , 118 . In some embodiments, a cord, such as a bungee cord, connects a platform on beam  102 A with another platform on beam  102 B, as, for example, a temporary clothes line to hang face cloths, wet fabrics, etc., to dry. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, to each vertical beam  102  are attached two angled beams  104 , 106 . In these embodiments, the vertical beam  102  is sandwiched by the angled beams  104 , 106 . A tightener  124  connects the angled beams  104 , 106  to the vertical beam  102 . In some embodiments, the tightener  124  functions similarly to the screw/nut combination  112 , discussed above. In other embodiments, the tightener  124  allows for a friction lock between the vertical beam  102  and the angled beams  104 , 106  such that when the tightener  124  is tightened, the angled beams  104 , 106  do not pivot, and are consequently stationary, around the pivot point of the tightener  124 . Therefore, the user can loosen the tightener  124  and move the angled beams  104 , 106  to the desired angle, and then tighten the tightener  124  to hold the beams  104 , 106  in place with respect to the vertical beam  102 . 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, a metal plate  126  is placed on either side of each vertical beam  102 , in close proximity to the pivot of the tightener  124 . The metal plate  126  protects both the vertical beam  102  and the angled beams  104 , 106  from frictional wear as the beams  104 , 106  move with respect to the vertical beam  102 . The metal plate  126  also provides additional strength to the location where the angled beams  104 , 106  are connected, which is the location where the weight of the rest of the accessory  100  rests on the vertical beam  102 . 
         [0022]    The horizontal beam  108  connects to the angled beams  104 , 106  at both ends by way of a tightener  128 . The tightener  128  works in the same manner as the tightener  124 , described above. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the terminus of the angled beams  104 , 106  comprises a metal plate  130 , for example as shown at the terminus of the angled beams  106 A and  106 B in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, for example as shown at the terminus of the angled beams  104 A and  104 B in  FIG. 1 , there is no metal plate  130  and the tightener  128  connects directly over the angled beams  104 , 106 . The metal plate  130  provides for additional strength at the pivot point of the tightener  128  and also reduces the frictional wear at that point. The metal plate  130  also allows the user to use one hand to hold the horizontal beam  108  while the other hand tightens the angled beams  104 , 106  to the horizontal beam  108  using only one tightener  128 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the horizontal beam  108  provides for the placement of decorative items on the accessory  100 . In some embodiments, the horizontal beam  108  comprises holes where a car-flag adaptor  132  is placed. A car-flag is a flag, for example the flag of a country or a sports team, which can be flown from the window of a car. The base of the car-flag slides over the adaptor  132 , which is then inserted in to a hole on the horizontal beam  108 . In other embodiments, the horizontal beam  108  comprises holes where flag holders  134  are inserted. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the horizontal beam  108  comprises a metal plate  136 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  places the metal plate  136  at the center of the horizontal beam  108 . In other embodiments, the metal plate  136  is long, i.e., longer than 1 foot, or alternatively covers more than half the length of the beam  108 . In other embodiments, the metal plate  136  covers less than a third of the length of the beam  108 . In other embodiments, the metal plate  136  runs the entire, or nearly the entire, span of the horizontal beam  108 . In some embodiments, a logo, for example that of the manufacturer or the retailer of the accessory  100 , is placed on the metal plate  136 . In some embodiments, the metal plate  136  is attached to the horizontal beam  108  by two or more washers and screws (not shown) that sandwich the horizontal beam  108 , washers, and the metal plate  136  together. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the horizontal beam  108  comprises a second metal plate either in addition to, or in lieu of, the metal plate  136 . While the metal plate  136  is located at the side of the horizontal beam  108 , the second metal plate is placed underneath the horizontal beam  108 . In some embodiments, the second metal plate is placed at the center of the horizontal beam  108 . In other embodiments, the second metal plate is long, i.e., longer than 1 foot, or alternatively covers more than half the length of the beam  108 . In other embodiments, the second metal plate covers less than a third of the length of the beam  108 . In other embodiments, the second metal plate runs the entire, or nearly the entire, span of the horizontal beam  108 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the second metal plate, located on the underside of the horizontal beam  108 , has a small hole located where each flag-hole is located. This is intended to drain any water that is collected when it rains in order to prevent the horizontal beam  108  (if wood) to be soaked with rain water. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, a storage compartment  138  is attached to the horizontal beam  108 . In some embodiments, the compartment  138  is a clear, see-through compartment, for example made out of plastic. In certain embodiments, the compartment  138  attaches to the metal plate  136  or to the second metal plate by the use of a magnet. In other embodiments, the compartment  138  screws onto the horizontal beam  108 . In some embodiments, the compartment  138  is large enough to house an electronic tablet (e.g., an iPad®), or an MP 3  device (e.g., an iPod®). 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, a light, for example an LED light or a flash light, is attached to the horizontal beam  108 . In certain embodiments, the light attaches to the metal plate  136  or the second metal plate by the use of a magnet. In other embodiments, the light screws onto the horizontal beam  108 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of the flag holder  134  placed in the horizontal beam  108 . In some embodiments, the flag holder  134  comprises at least one wing  202 . In some embodiments, the flag holder  134  comprises two or more wings  202 . The flag holder  134  fits into a hole  204  on the beam  108 . In some embodiments, the hole  204  comprises at least one slot  206 , which matches the wing  202 . When the flag holder  134  is placed inside of the hole  204 , the wing  202  is inserted into the slot  206 . The flag holder  134  is thereby prevented from rotating once it is inserted into the hole  204 . The flag holder  134  comprises one or more tubes  208  into which a flag can be inserted. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the hole  204  is an obround hole, which matches an obround base of the flag holder  134 . This combination, similar to the use of wings  202 , prevents the flag from twisting in the wind. 
         [0032]    The car-flag adaptor  132  is shown in  FIG. 3  to be inserted into a hole  302  similar to the hole  204 . The hole  302  of the car-flag adaptor  132  also comprises slots  304 , which act to prevent the adaptor  132  from rotating once inserted into the hole  302 . Having a single hole design, for example holes  204 , 302 , allows for versatility in placing the desired decorative items. However, in some embodiments, the horizontal beam  108  comprises a second type of holes, hole  306 , which do not have the slots  206 , 304 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  also shows the internal mechanism of one embodiment of the tightener  128 . As stated above, in some embodiments, the tighteners  128  and  124  operate similarly. In some embodiments, the tightener  128  comprises a tightening knob  308 . In the illustrated embodiment, the knob  308  is housed on the angled beam  104 . The skilled artisan knows that the arrangement of the tightener  128  can be reversed. The knob  308  is connected to a rod  310 . The end of the rod  310  opposite to the knob  308  is threaded and is housed inside of the nut  312 . The nut  312  is in turn attached to the angled beam  106 , or if present, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , to the metal plate  130 . In some embodiments, the nut  312  is located inside a hole on the side of the horizontal beam  108 . The rod  310 , in some embodiments, is a lag bolt, which has a square feature near the head, which prevents the rod  310  from turning when the knob  308  is turned. The metal plate  130  has a square cut-out on the opposite side to allow the rod  310  to be fed through the plate  130  and prevent it from turning. 
         [0034]    When the knob  308  is turned to tighten the connection, the rod  310 , which remains motionless, is threaded further into the knob  308 , which brings the nut  312 , and thereby the beam  106 , closer to horizontal beam  108 . This causes a friction lock to be created, which holds the relative placement of the beams  104 ,  106 , and  108  in a stable position. When the knob  308  is loosened, beams  104  and  106  move apart, destroying the friction lock, thereby allowing free movement at the pivot point of the rod  310 . 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, a spacer  314  rests in the hollow created by the curvature of the metal plate  130  to provide support. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows the accessory  100  in its fully extended and open position. When not in use and for storage purposes, the accessory  100  can collapse on itself to minimize it volume. In one embodiment, the accessory  100  is removed from the brackets  110 A and  110 B and the tighteners  124 A,  124 B,  128 A, and  128 B are loosened and the platforms  116 , 118  are removed. The pivot point  128 A is moved in line with the vertical beam  102 A such that the pivot point  128 A and point  112 A are the opposite ends of the line created by the beams  102 A and  104 A, 106 A. The horizontal beam  108  is made to pivot around the point  128 A, such that the pivot point  128 B comes in close proximity to the point  112 A. The vertical beam  102 B and the angled beams  104 B, 106 B are brought in a straight line and the whole line is swung in the opposite direction of the beam  108 &#39;s motion, such that the point  112 B is at the opposite end of the collapsed structure as the point  112 A. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the accessory  100  disclosed herein is configured to be attached to the bed of a pickup truck or to the roof of a car. This attachment allows for the display of an array of flags during a tailgate party. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, a bottle opener is attached to one of the beams of the accessory  100  for an easy and convenient access thereto.