Patent Publication Number: US-8522696-B1

Title: Inlaid table top table

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This disclosure generally relates to securing table tops, and more particularly to a robust fastener for securing a table top against an underside table rim to provide an inlaid table top table. 
     2. Related Art 
     Conventional outdoor furniture of the type intended for use on decks and patios are very popular. Manufacturers of outdoor patio furniture are constantly called upon to offer new innovative designs that provide practical, comfortable products to the consumer. Manufacturers on one hand are interested in offering innovative and fresh designs, but are also interested in reducing manufacturing cost by simplifying and reducing the time to manufacture the outdoor patio furniture. 
     As the outdoor patio furniture industry has developed, a popular feature for patio tables is to provide a fresh table top design. However, providing a table top design can add substantial cost to the patio table. What is needed is a table top design that is simple to manufacture, aesthetically pleasing, and robust enough to withstand shipping the table around the world. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A method and apparatus for a novel inlaid table top table are disclosed which overcome shortcomings of the standard table top table and has the added benefit of simplifying packaging of the table for shipping. Accordingly, the novel inlaid table top table comprises a table top frame having a rim around an interior of the table top frame, a table top insert configured to fit within the table top frame and rest under the rim of the table top frame, a plurality of table top fasteners configured to secure the table top insert from under the table top frame against the rim of the table top frame, a set of table legs coupled to the table top frame, and a support ring coupled to the set of table legs to provide additional support to the set of table legs. 
     In accordance to another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of table top fasteners each includes an angle shaped fastener having at least one mounting hole configured to receive at least one mounting screw. 
     In accordance to another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of table top fasteners each includes an elastic boot configured to fit over an end of the table top fastener that contacts the table top insert. 
     In accordance to another aspect of the present invention, the table top frame includes threaded holes for receiving the at least one mounting screw that secures the table top fastener to the table top frame. Alternatively, the at least one mounting screw is a self-tapping screw that taps its own threads into the table top frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an inlaid table top table in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an underside view of the inlaid table top table in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a detailed view of the table top fastener, table top frame, and table top insert; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary cut-out view of the table top fastener taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an inlaid table top table  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The inlaid table top table  10  includes a table top frame  12 , a table top insert  14 , a set of table legs  16 , a support ring  18 , and a ring support bar  20 . The inlaid table top table  10  has an aesthetically pleasing appearance with the table top insert fitted within the table top frame  12 . The table surface of the inlaid table top table  10  is easily cleaned without having to scrape dirt and other debris from under the table top insert as is common with previous table tops. For example, typical table top inserts are set on top of the table frame. Accordingly, the common table frames includes a lip or ledge to support the table top insert which prevents the table top insert from falling onto the ground. Since the tables may be used outdoors as in the case of patio tables, dirt and other debris from the outdoors often get trapped underneath the table top insert between the ledge of the table top frame and the table top insert. The problem is compounded when liquids are spilled or used to clean the table top as some of the liquid invariably finds their way between the ledge of the table top frame and the table top insert. Since the table top surface is commonly made of glass, the trapped debris and liquid can be seen and distracts from a clean and sanitary appearance for the table. There is no easy way to remove the trapped debris and liquids but to lift the table top insert off the ledge of the table frame to scrape and clean underneath. This is not only a dangerous procedure but is time consuming extra work for the user of the table. The table top glass is usually very large and heavy and being made of glass can break if mishandled causing a potential situation. Moreover, if the table has been sitting outside for any length of time, there may be moss, algae or other growth embedded on the glass and ledge of the table frame which makes cleaning even more a burden. The present embodiment of the inlaid table top table solves the problems of the prior table by moving the ledge or rim to the top side of the table frame. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates an underside view of the inlaid table top table  10 . From the underside, the table top frame  12  has the table top insert  14  set within the table top frame  12 . The set of legs  16  are attached to each corner of the table frame  12 . The support ring  18  is attached to the set of legs  16  to provide additional support. Similarly, the ring support bars  20  are attached to the support ring  20  to further provide extra stability to the inlaid table top table  10 . Since the table top insert  14  is set within the table top frame  12 , a plurality of table top fasteners  22  secures the table top insert  14  adjacent a rim  32  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) that protrudes from the interior perimeter of the table top frame  12 . The table top fasteners  22  are angled and are attached to the table top frame  12 . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a blow up view of the table top fastener  22 , the table top frame  12 , and the table top insert  14  depicted in  FIG. 2A . The table top fastener  22  is angled and has an elastic boot  24  that fits over an end of the table top fastener  22 . The elastic boot  24  contacts the table top insert  14  and provides a soft contact surface against the table top insert  14 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic boot is made of plastic and the table top insert  14  is made of glass. The table top insert  14  can have a decorative design etched in the glass to provide more aesthetic appeal. Two screws  26  are used in the present embodiment to attach and secure the table top fastener  22  to the table top frame  12 . The elastic boot  24  provides some flexibility to the table top fastener  22  so that when the screws  26  are tightened, the table top fastener  22  is snug against the table top insert  14 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-section of the table top fastener  22  of  FIG. 2B  taken along line A-A. The table top frame  12  has a rim  32  that is pressed against table top insert  14  as the table top fastener  22  is secured against the table top frame  12  by tightening the screw  26 . The table top frame has threads to enable the screw  26  to securely attach the table top fastener  22  to the table top frame  12 . Alternatively, the screw  26  is a self tapping screw which enables the screw  26  to self-tap into the table top frame  12  and tightly attach the table top fastener to the table top frame  12 . The elastic boot  24  provides a flexible surface against the table top insert  14  to ensure a snug fit and non-marring surface. 
     Another advantage of the inlaid table top table is the ability to have the table top insert assembled with the table top frame when the table is shipped. This eliminates extra assembly by the end user and simplifies packaging. With the table top insert assembled with the table top frame, the table top insert is protected from breakage and greatly simplifies and reduces packaging material used to pad the table top insert. Additional padding material used to pad the table top insert is substantially reduced since the table top insert is integrated with the table top frame. The overall size of the shipping package is also reduced which saves transportation costs for shipping the inlaid table top table. The end user would need only to attach the legs and ring supports. 
     The present novel inlaid table top table is susceptible to minor variations and modifications that may be introduced without departing from the inventive concept. For example, instead of a rim around the interior perimeter of the table top frame  12 , multiple tangs protruding from or attached to the table top frame can be used. The table top fastener can be mated with the tangs to provide the necessary support for the table top insert  14 . More or less screws or other fastener devices can be used for the table top fastener  22 . 
     It is further appreciated that designation of furniture as fitting into categories such as chairs, lounges, and other separate and distinct varieties may be inadequate. For example, patio furniture as opposed to furniture designs may show no clear delineation separating the two categories. Accordingly, a patio table design may be used as a table for indoor use. 
     The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Moreover, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.