Patent Publication Number: US-6334399-B1

Title: Table cover

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/372,932 filed Aug. 12, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,489 entitled TABLE COVER which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/235,928 filed Jan. 22, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,451 entitled TABLE COVER; said applications in their entireties are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to table coverings, and more specifically to table covers for use in special events where frequent appearance changes are desired and for home furnishings of which an owner desire to change the look thereof. 
     2. Background Art 
     Nondescript tables intended to be covered before use are well known in the entertainment, convention and party industries. Typically, the underlying table is of conventional design without decorative features. The top of the table may be of any particular shape, but is usually either square, round or rectangular. A set of legs is attached to the underside of the table top and are normally foldable into and out of a use configuration. The tables themselves are not attractive and are almost always covered for use. In this way, the cover may be selected so that the tables serve as a complement to the rest of the theme of a event. Usually, conventional table coverings have been simple drapes that are positioned upon the table for uniform appearance. One problem experienced with these designs is that no reference is provided to indicate when the draped table covering has been properly positioned. Therefore, set up of such tables, especially when there is a large number can be time-consuming. Each table must be visually inspected, usually from several different vantage points, to assure that it looks right from all sides. Sometimes, a regular cloth table cover of inappropriate size will result in undesirable uneven overhangs. Furthermore, such draped configurations have been in long-time use and the entertainment and party industries desire new and novel appearances, as well as efficient designs for event accessories. 
     In home settings, the owner of other types of tables often times desires to change the look of the furniture piece easily and inexpensively. Examples include end tables, besides tables, coffee tables and dining tables. Similarly, tables of this nature may also be utilized in commercial settings such as hotels, offices and restaurants. Often times, the look of this furniture utilized in such commercial settings will be desired to be changed either temporarily or permanently. As to private owners, the commercial owners of these furniture pieces will desire to make such appearance changes inexpensively, easily and often times interchangeably. 
     In view of the above described deficiencies associated with the use of known designs of table covers, the present invention has been developed to alleviate these drawbacks and provide further benefits to the user. These enhancements and benefits are described in greater detail hereinbelow with respect to several alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention in its several disclosed embodiments alleviates the drawbacks described above with respect to conventionally designed drape table coverings and incorporates several additionally beneficial features. Among the benefits of the invention is its ease-of-use and durability. Another benefit is the clean, sculpted appearance that it presents when installed upon a table. Still another feature very attractive to the event planning industry is its versatility and ease in appearance-adaptation. 
     Both the table cover body and the overlay table top cover of the fabric table cover assembly of the present invention are constructed to be substantially form-fitting about a conventional party table. Because the fabric from which the cover is constructed is typically stretch material, the table cover assembly is stretched about the table and secured thereupon. The stretch nature of the fabric of construction causes the cover to constrict about the table and partially conform thereto. The result is a curvaceous appearance that is unique, pleasing to the eye and somewhat space-age in affect. 
     A lower periphery of the bottom of the cover is secured at the feet of the table. Because of the elastic nature of the lower periphery of the cover, upward extending arches are formed between the legs. This is a developed feature highly desirable to those persons who later use the table because these arched areas provide gap spaces between the cover and the floor that accommodate insertion of their feet under the table. The lack of such access for the user&#39;s feet in conventional designs has long-affected the level of comfort and usability of such conventional table cover designs. 
     The table cover of the present invention is constructed in a preferred embodiment to have a top portion and a bottom portion configured to cover the top and legged portions of a table, respectively. The top portion of the table cover is preferably made from a light-colored material, but at least a portion of the top portion contains a light-colored area. The bottom portion may be constructed in any other desired color. Typically, however, the bottom portion is black because of that color&#39;s versatility and ability to blend in many event settings. 
     The table cover body described immediately above may be utilized alone, but in a preferred embodiment an overlay table top cover is also utilized that is stretched over the top portion of the table cover body. Usually, this overlay table cover will have a particular design such as polka-dots or zebra stripes that can be utilized to customize the appearance of the tables being covered and accent the event in which they are being used. Because the overlay top cover is also constructed of stretch material to enable its easy installation over the top portion of the table cover body and cause conformity thereto, it is easy for the color of the top portion of the table cover body to bleed through light portions of the overlay tabletop cover. For this reason, the top portion of the table cover is preferably constructed from light-colored material, and most preferably, white material. Through the use of such light-colored material, not only is bleed-through prevented, but the colors of the overlay are made more vibrant by the light-colored backdrop of the top portion of the table cover body. Still further, the top portion of the table cover of the present invention is advantageously constructed from polyester-cotton blend materials that supplementarily act as a pad under the overlay thereby eliminating the need for a separate pad. 
     The construction of the table cover body and the overlay cover enable easy, quick and uniform installation of a number of table cover assemblies on different tables. This is important for event planners since setup time is most always at a premium. The setup time for in event is non-revenue generating and therefore is desired to be minimized. The construction of the table cover assembly of the present invention also enables a lone person to install the cover quickly and accurately by him or herself without damaging the cover. This one-person installation is accommodated by the construction of the table cover and its method of installation and attachment upon a table. Because of the stretching nature of the table cover in its preferred embodiment, the lower periphery of the bottom portion of the cover may be easily hooked under the feet of the table&#39;s legs. This can be accomplished one at a time as the installer moves about the table. Simultaneously, the top portion of the cover, as well as the bottom portion of the cover is being stretched tautly about the tabletop and legged portions of the table, respectively. In this manner, as the installer progresses about the table, each leg can be rocked off of the floor to permit placement of a securable portion of the cover thereunder. This type of installation prevents the top of the table from having to engage the floor and averts potential damage to cover if it were pinched between the table top and floor. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the bottom portion of the table cover is constructed in a tube configuration using a longitudinal seam that can be used by the installer as a reference point for proper positioning of the cover upon the table. By aligning the seam with a leg of the table, not only is a better appearance achieved for each table, but a uniform appearance across several tables is assured when each is similarly covered. 
     In at least one embodiment, the present invention takes the form of a fabric table cover assembly that includes a table cover body that has a top portion configured for covering a top of a table and a bottom portion configured for covering at least a portion of a supporting legged portion of a table. The bottom portion of the cover body has a lower periphery configured to be anchored at securable locations, one each of those locations to one of a plurality of legs of the table to be covered. The lower periphery has extension portions between adjacent securable locations that are adapted to form upwardly extending arches between adjacent securable locations. In this way feet accommodating access areas are established between adjacent legs of a covered table. 
     The top portion of the table cover body is light colored so that light colored overlay fabrics positioned upon the top portion are colorwise unaffected in appearance by the top portion of the underlying cover. In a preferred embodiment, the light colored top portion of the table cover body is white for optimized color preservation of overlay fabrics positioned upon the top portion and also doubles as table pad under the overlay. 
     The bottom portion of the table cover body is preferably dark colored for forming an opaque skin about a supporting legged portion of a covered table. 
     In one embodiment, the top portion and the bottom portion of the table cover body are separate fabric pieces joined together at a seam to form the table cover body and the seam is configured to be located immediately below a top of a covered table when installed thereupon. 
     Additionally, an overlay table top cover is configured to cover the top portion of the table cover body for presenting a contrasting appearance to the bottom portion of the cover body. Preferably, the overlay table top cover is adapted to stretch tautly over the top portion of the table cover body in a form-fitting manner and for establishing substantially uniform surface-to-surface engagement between the overlay top cover and the top portion of the table cover body. Further, the overlay table top cover has a peripheral elastic band for constriction below a top of a covered table when installed thereupon. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the overlay table top cover is constructed from stain and wrinkle resistant material. 
     In one embodiment, the securable location takes, at least in part, the form of a hookable portion of the bottom portion of the table cover body and is configured for being securingly hooked under a leg of a covered table. In an alternative embodiment, the securable location includes a cupped receiver positioned at the lower periphery of the bottom portion of the table cover body and is configured to securably receive a foot portion of a leg of covered table. The cupped receiver is adapted to be releasably engageable upon the lower periphery of the bottom portion of the table cover body. 
     Preferably, the bottom portion of the table cover body is constructed from stretch fabric and is configured to fit tautly about the supporting legged portion of a covered table thereby presenting a curvaceous appearance about the supporting legged portion when installed. In one exemplary embodiment, the stretch fabric from which the bottom portion of the table cover body is constructed is spandex material and the top portion of the table cover body is constructed from stain and wrinkle resistant material. Further, the bottom portion of the table cover body includes a peripheral elastic band for constriction about a lower portion of a supporting legged portion of a covered table thereby forming the upwardly extending arches and presenting fluted appearance at a base of a covered table from a plurality of the arches. 
     In one version, the bottom portion of the table cover body is tubularly constructed and is formed from a sheet of material using a seam that is configured to be aligned with a leg of a covered table. 
     The beneficial effects described above apply generally to the exemplary devices and mechanisms disclosed herein of the fabric table cover. The specific structures through which these benefits are delivered will be described in detail hereinbelow. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described in greater detail in the following way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the initial installation step of the present invention onto a table; 
     FIG.  2  and FIG. 3 illustrate subsequent steps of installation of the table cover body; 
     FIG. 4 is an illustration of an initial step of installation of an overlay cover atop the table cover body; 
     FIG. 5 is an intermediate step of installation of an overlay cover atop the table cover body; 
     FIG. 6 is illustration of an appropriately installed table cover body and overlay cover; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a two-piece cup receiver; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an interior insert of the two-piece cup receiver; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an outer shell of the two-piece cup receiver; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the two-piece cup receiver; and 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an outer shell of the two-piece cup receiver. 
    
    
     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Referring to the accompanying drawings, a table cover assembly  25  may be appreciated that is utilizable for covering a table  10  having a table top  13  and a supporting legged portion  16 . The supporting legged portion  16  includes a plurality of legs  19  each of which has a foot portion  22 . 
     As may be appreciated in FIG. 1, a table cover body  28  is configured for installation over the table  10 . The cover body  28  includes a top portion  31  and a bottom portion  37  preferably joined together by a seam  34 . The bottom portion  37  is preferably constructed from a stretching material such as spandex. The top portion  31  is preferably constructed from a substantially stretch resistant polyester-cotton blend material which is stain and wrinkle resistant. Because the top portion  31  is stretch resistant, that portion can be cut to specifically fit a particular table configuration, most of such table configurations being of standard shapes and sizes, at least in the event planning industries. Secondly, because the material is stretch resistant, once properly positioned upon the table top, the top portion  31  of the cover assists in properly locating and shaping the lower stretching portion  37  of the table cover  28 . This occurs because the top portion  31  of the cover provides a continuous anchor about its perimeter for the top edge of the lower portion  37  of the table cover  28 . 
     Because of the stretch nature of the construction material of the bottom portion  37 , the table cover body  28  exhibits an elastic affect through its constrictive characteristics about the table  10 . As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, these characteristics enable the cover  28  to be at least partially form-fitting about the table  10  in a curvaceous manner which produces the unique appearance of the installed cover assembly  25 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the installation process begins with an installer  11  positioning the table cover body  28  substantially upon the top  13  of the table  10 . At least one leg  19  is lifted off of the ground so that the bottom portion  37  of the cover body  28  can be anchored at a securable location  52  at the foot portion  22  of the leg  19 . In a preferred embodiment, the securable locations  52  are at a lower periphery  49  of the bottom portion  37 . Optionally, a peripheral elastic band  46  may be included at the periphery  49 , but it is also possible for the material from which the bottom portion  37  is constructed to perform satisfactorily utilizing its own elastic qualities. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the securable location  52  takes the form of a hookable portion  55  which is achieved by pulling the lower periphery  49  underneath the foot portion  22  and permitting it to constrict thereunder. 
     In is alternative embodiment which is designated at the righthand foot portion  58  of FIG. 4, a cupped receiver  80  is utilized at the lower periphery  49  for installation under the foot  22 . Preferably, the cupped receiver  80  is constructed from substantially rigid, durable material such as plastic, and in a preferred embodiment is releasably engageable at the lower periphery of the bottom portion  37  of the cover body  28 . It is disclosed that the cupped receiver  80  is constructed from two body pieces which are substantially conforming, one to the other, so that together they can be effectively snapped about the lower periphery  49  of the table cover  28  for attachment thereto. The receiver  80  has an interior foot receiving area interiorly configured for receiving the foot portion  22  of a table leg  19  therein. 
     Because of the cupped receiver&#39;s  80  design, it should be appreciated that the receiver  80  may be used on other types of covers and structures, such as covers for chairs, other pieces of furniture and other types of articles or fabrics that have portions that are desired to be secured or anchored. An example may include covers for paintings that are desired to be anchored on corners and for which the cup&#39;s  80  design is appropriate. Along these lines, it should be appreciated that the cup assembly  80  need not be substantially round in configuration, but may be configured to accommodate variously shaped anchor elements. In the case of a cover to be secured about a painting at corners of a frame thereof, the cup assembly  80  may be more square in shape for catching upon the corners of the frame. These anchors may also be utilized on panels constructed from stretch fabrics that are connected between anchors for forming partition type room dividers. Still further, they may be used to establish projection screens of various characteristics and uses. 
     Exemplary and alternative embodiments of the cupped receiver  80  are illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 and  10 - 11 . FIGS. 7 illustrates a unified receiver body  82  that is assembled from two separate piece receiver bodies taking the form of an outer shell  84  and an interior insert  86 . FIGS. 9 and 11 show alternative and exemplary outer shell  84  configured to be engaged upon alternative and exemplary interior inserts  86  shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. Regarding FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of the cupped receiver  80  is provided that shows that the receiver  80  is formed by the snapped engagement of an outer shell  84  about an interior insert  86 . The outer shell  84  includes a catch projection  85  that projects over and snaps about a protrusion  87  off of the interior insert  86 . In this manner, the two halves  84 , 86  are made releasably engageable, one to the other. As may also be appreciated in FIG. 7, an interior surface of the outer shell  84  is configured to conform approximately to an exterior surface of the insert  86  for substantial face-to-face abutment. When assembled, a cover securement recess  88  is established between the two halves  84 , 86  which is utilized for securingly receiving a portion of the lower periphery  49  of the bottom portion  37  of the table cover body  28 . Securement of the cupped receiver  80  to the table cover  28 , or to any other cover similarly constructed, such as at a periphery of a chair cover, is established by snapping the two halves  84 , 86  together with the portion of the cover intended to be secured positioned therebetween. In the instance of a cover in which an elastic band  46  has been incorporated, the enlarged cord caused by the presence of the elastic band  46  lends an expanded portion easily trapped in the recess space  88  between the cup halves  84 , 86 . 
     Friction members  90  are provided in the form of spiked teeth  92  that stab into the secured cover portion. Through the use of the teeth  92 , disengagement of the cover  28  from the cupped receiver  80  is resisted until the two halves  84 , 86  are purposefully disengaged and the recess  88  opened. 
     An interior foot receiving area  94  is established within an interior space of the cupped receiver  80 . It is in this area  94  that the foot portion  22  of a table  10 , or alternatively a chair, is received. The fit of the area  94  about the foot portion  22  may be sufficiently snug to maintain an engagement therebetween. Still further, the elastic nature of the table cover  28  will normally place an upward force on the cupped receiver  80  which also tends to hold the receiver  80  tightly upon the foot portion  22 . To aid an installer in properly positioning the foot portion  22  in the receiving area  94 , a sloped access lip  96  is provided that directs the foot portion  22  to slide into the receiving area  94  for proper positioning therein. Because there is the possibility that a great deal of downward force may be imposed upon the cupped receiver  80 , especially if the receiver is utilized on a chair cover, a bottom portion  98  of the receiver  80  is reinforced utilizing reinforcing ribs  99 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the ribs  99  extend radially from a center of the interior insert  86  toward a circumference thereof. The ribs  99  take the from of vanes that are perpendicularly oriented to the bottom interior surface of the insert  86 . 
     It should be appreciated that an additional benefit is derived from utilizing cup receivers  80  at the ground engaging portions of the feet of a table, and more pertinently, on feet of a chair. The inner and outer components  84 , 86  of the cup receiver  80  are preferably constructed from a hard plastic such as polyvinyl chloride. Still further, the bottom extreme exterior surface of the cup receiver  80  is generally convex shaped or at a minimum has upwardly curved edges so that sliding action of the table or chair over a supporting floor is facilitated. This can be attributed to the cups  80  acting as sleds over carpeted surfaces and reduced surface-to-surface contact on hard flooring. Furthermore, because the cups  80  are made from semi-rigid material, the cups  80  also act as a buffer for protecting flooring from such sliding action which could otherwise mar or gouge the flooring&#39;s surface. 
     It is also contemplated that a one-piece construction cupped receiver may be utilized that is generally constructed according to the criteria for the cupped receiver  80  illustrated in FIGS. 7-11. An arrangement is provided upon the body of the cupped receiver for affecting an attachment between the receiver and the cloth cover to be secured or anchored by the cup. Ideally, this attachment is a releasable in nature, but it is also possible that the connection may be permanent. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, installation continues as the installer  11  movers from one leg  19  to the next anchoring the bottom portion  37  of the cover  28  under the foot portion  22  of each leg  19  at a securable location  52  until finally the configuration of FIG. 3 is achieved. There, it can appreciated that extension portions  61  span between the securable locations  52  and when the cover  28  is installed upon a table  10  form upwardly extending arches  64  between each leg  19 . As may be best appreciated in FIG. 4, each arch  64  provides a feet accommodating access area  67  for those persons who later sit at the covered table  10 . This feature improves the comfort level for those persons attending the event and increases the usability of the tables  10 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  31  of the table cover body  28  is round shaped and the bottom portion  37  is tubular. The tube of the bottom portion  37  is formed by sewing a sheet of material at end portions thereof utilizing a tube forming seam  43 . The seam  43  may be advantageously utilized by an installer  11  to assure proper positioning of the table cover  28  upon the table  10 . When beginning installation as shown in FIG. 1, the seam  43  is aligned with the initial leg  19  under which the bottom portion  37  is first anchored. If this system of installation is consistently utilized, a uniform appearance across the several tables  10  in an event setting will be achieved. 
     An optional component of the table cover assembly  25  is an overlay tabletop cover  70 . The utilization of such an overlay  70  is illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. Typically, the overlay  70  will have a specific design that has been selected to complement the theme of an event. Examples of such designs could include colored polka-dots, flag patterns or zebra stripes. In each case, the overlay  70  is preferably constructed of a stretch material that is secured about the top  13  of the table  10  over the top portion  31  of the table cover body  28  utilizing a peripheral elastic band  73 . The more the overlay  70  is stretched, the more transparent the material becomes. This is especially true at the light-colored portions of the designs in the overlay  70 . For this reason, the top portion  31  of the table cover body  28  is preferably constructed from a light-colored material, and most preferably from a white material. In this way, lighter colors of the overlay  70  are not washed out by a dark underlay, but are instead preserved and enhanced by the light color of the top portion  31  of the underlying cover  28 . 
     The overlay  70  is an important component because it incorporates adaptability into the table cover assembly  25 . By using the same basic table cover bodies  28  with different overlay covers  70 , dramatically different appearances can be achieved utilizing the same cover  28  and table  10 . This is a very attractive feature to party planners who must be able to provide a wide range of looks on a finite budget. In a typical embodiment, the bottom portion  37  of the cover  28  will usually be constructed from a dark colored material such as black spandex which forms an opaque skin  40  about the legged portion  16  of the table  10  when properly installed. In this configuration, the table cover assembly  25  presents a solid sculpted appearance over the previously unattractive skeletal table  10  available for most convention and party events. 
     A table cover and its components have been described herein. These and other variations, which will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, are within the intended scope of this invention as claimed below. As previously stated, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention finds special applicability in the convention, party and event planning industries.