Patent Publication Number: US-6986722-B2

Title: Compact collapsible tennis table

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/561,884 filed May 1, 2000, now abandoned, incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a collapsible tennis table which is relatively simple in construction and wherein, when folded, provides a compact unit for shipping and storage purposes. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Collapsible or foldable tables, such as hobby and game tables, and tennis tables are well known. Many of these are designed with wheels or casters to facilitate movement and to occupy smaller storage areas. In order to provide for the collapsibility feature, the prior art tables include a number of complex parts which are relatively expensive. To accommodate smaller shipping sizes, the prior tables are typically unassembled. In this case, assembly can take a number of hours and requires at least two people. Further, a large number of parts are involved in partially assembled tables. In many cases, parts such as bolts and nuts are missing or lost and customers cannot assemble a table and generally become frustrated. A frustrated customer tends to call the store from which the table is purchased or the manufacturer themselves. 
   To assemble the table also requires a number of tools, some of which are not available in the average household. Some manufacturers ship fully assembled tables to customers requiring substantially large packaging and higher shipping costs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,085 discloses a collapsible table which is relatively large in size even after it is collapsed. Large assembled units are difficult to deliver to a number of dwellings with a recreation room in the basement or off an indirect hallway. At times, it is required to disassemble the table to take it to the place of intended use. 
   The opening and closing of the table requires a number of steps such as locking, unlocking, pushing together and pulling apart. These steps must be taken in a precise sequence. If the sequence is missed, it can cause serious injury to the user and damage property. Many of the prior art collapsible tables have a high profile and require a relatively tall person with some physical strength to open and close the table, making it difficult, it not impractical, for a young child or a chair-bound handicapped person to operate the table. There is also the inconvenience of attaching and disassembling the net and bracket on the tennis table. Although some tables leave the net and bracket attached to the table when folding and storing, the bracket extends outwardly enough to be hazardous. U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,957, issued Oct. 6, 1998 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a collapsible tennis table which overcomes the disadvantages noted hereinabove. However, the compact tennis table disclosed in that patent utilizes a connecting, or cross, member to join parallel frame members together. The joining process requires additional parts (i.e. the cross member itself, four bolts and ring nuts) increasing the cost thereof and additional user steps to assemble the tennis table, which may lessen the marketability of the product. 
   What is thus desired is to provide a collapsible table which is easy to assemble, is relatively inexpensive and which enables the young person and handicapped to have access to the table. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a simplified multi-section collapsible tennis table which requires a minimum of parts and when unpackaged is easy to assemble (and disassemble) without tools. The present invention provides a tennis table that is collapsible into a relatively small profile, or configuration, partially assembled for shipment or storage purposes. The table can be fully assembled without tools relatively quickly. The table is capable of being opened and closed with a relatively small amount of force and has a low profiles both height and lengthwise, in both the disassembled and operational modes. The table is configured so that it is relatively easy to be operated by a young person and physically restricted persons. 
   In particular, in a first embodiment the collapsible tennis table of the present invention comprises two table sections, each table section comprising first and second table portions and tubular leg members secured to the bottom (non-player) surface of each table portion. One end of each leg member is positioned to receive one end of a connecting member, the connecting member functioning to align the two table portions and to support the center of the assembled table portions. A pair of clip members are fastened to the bottom surface of each table portion and the leg member of the tubular members are releasably held against the bottom surface of each table portion thereby. In order to assemble one table section of the collapsible table of the present invention, the ends of the connecting member are inserted into the open ends of each leg member and the two table portions pushed toward each other, joining the table portions together. Safety latches are positioned on the far ends of the bottom surface of each table portion to force the table portions together and to prevent the portions from separating. When it is desired to collapse the tennis table, the safety latches are opened and the two table portions of each section are pulled apart. 
   Caster devices are provided and have vertically extending tubular extensions which are adapted to be inserted into the end opening of one of the leg members formed on the bottom surface of each table section. Preferably the caster devices are separate sub-assemblies without a cross-member. When joined in this manner, an assembled tennis table is provided. The casters allow the assembled tennis table to be easily moved about. When it is desired to play table tennis, each table section is moved to the horizontal position and a tennis net is then secured to the table in the manner set forth in Pat. No. 5,816,957. 
   In a second embodiment, the collapsible table comprises two sections joined together in a manner identical to the joining of the two table portions as described in the first embodiment set forth hereinabove. In this embodiment, the tubular leg members are rotated to a substantially vertical direction to enable the assembled tennis table to stand upright on a surface, such as a floor. 
   In a third embodiment, a two section tennis table, each section having a pair of leg members releasably secured to the bottom surface of the table sections, is provided. The two sections are mounted to caster devices in the same manner described hereinabove with respect to the first embodiment. In one preferred feature, as illustrated, the caster devices include two assemblies without a cross-member. 
   The collapsible table of the present invention is thus easy to assemble, and can be stored easily because of its low profile. The table can be quickly and easily disassembled thus making it relatively simple to transport the disassembled table to a park or other venue and to then assemble the table for play as set forth hereinabove. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein: 
       FIGS. 1(   a )– 1 ( f ) are perspective views of a first embodiment of the collapsible table of the present invention in disassembled and assembled states; 
       FIGS. 2(   a )– 2 ( d ) are perspective views of a second embodiment of the present invention in disassembled and assembled states; 
       FIGS. 3(   a )– 3 ( c ) are perspective views of a third embodiment of the present invention in the disassembled and assembled states; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the connecting device utilized in the present invention; and latch utilized in the present invention. 
       FIGS. 5(   a )– 5 ( b ) are perspective views of a latch assembly used with preferred embodiments of the present invention, such as the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1(   a )– 1 ( f ). 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention provides a simplified multi-section collapsible tennis table which requires a minimum of parts and when unpackaged is easy to assemble (and disassemble) without tools. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1(   a )– 1 ( f ), perspective views of the unassembled and then assembled section  100  of a collapsible tennis table  140  ( FIG. 1(   f )) of the first embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. Section  100  comprises table portions  12  and  14 , each table portion having bottom surfaces  16  and  18 , respectively. Secured to bottom surface  16  of table section  12  is a pair of tubular leg extensions  20  and  22 , extension  20  being rotatably secured to bottom surface  16  via clip  24 . Extension  22  is rotatably secured to bottom surface  16  of the table section  12  via clip  28 . Secured to bottom surface  18  of table section  14  is a pair of tubular leg extensions  32  and  34 , extension  32  rotatably secured to bottom surface  18  via clip  40 , extension  34  being rotatably secured to bottom surface  18  via clip  42 . Extensions  20 ,  22 ,  32  and  34  have end portions  50 ,  52 ,  54  and  56  as illustrated, end portion  50  being positioned adjacent bracket  60  secured to surface  16 , end portion  52  being positioned adjacent to bracket  62  secured to surface  16 , end portion  54  being positioned adjacent bracket  64  secured to surface  18  and end portion  56  being positioned adjacent bracket  66  secured to surface  18 . 
   A pair of connecting members  44  and  46  are positioned between table portions  12  and  14 , connecting member  44  positioned adjacent brackets  60  and  64  as illustrated, and connecting member  46  being positioned adjacent brackets  62  and  66  as illustrated. Connecting members  44  and  46  ( FIG. 4 ) preferably comprise tubing  49  having two reduced end portions  80 ,  82 ,  84  and  86  sized to fit into the ends of the adjacent tubular leg extension members. 
   Extendable leg support braces  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  are connected to legs  20 ,  22 ,  32  and  34 . respectively, in a conventional manner and enable the legs to be rotated to their vertical positions. 
     FIGS. 1(   a )–( e ) show the components of tennis table  140  as would be found in the packaging carton and prior to assembly. The tennis table section  100  is assembled as follows: 
   1. The components are removed from the shipping carton and table portions  12  and  14  are preferably laid flat on a horizontal surface. 
   2. End  80  of connecting member  44  is inserted into end  50  of extension  20  through bracket  60 ; end  82  of connecting member  46  is inserted into end  52  of extension  22  through bracket  62 . 
   3. Table section  14  is then moved adjacent ends  84  and  86  of connecting members  44  and  46 , respectively, in a manner such that those ends  84  and  86  are inserted into the adjacent openings  54  and  56  of extensions  32  and  34  via brackets  64  and  66 , respectively. 
   4. Force is then applied to the edges of table sections  12  and  14  in the direction of the arrows  90  whereby connecting members  44  and  46  engage the holes (openings) formed in the ends of extension legs  20 ,  22 ,  32  and  34  thus forming an assembled tennis section  100  as shown in  FIG. 1(   b ). 
   5. In preparation for joining table section  100  to the caster device  120  shown in  FIGS. 1(   d )– 1 ( f ), leg extensions  20  and  32  (now joined together) are rotated away from the bottom surfaces of table sections  12  and  14 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 1(   c ) whereas leg extensions  22  and  34  are maintained in their folded positions. 
   In order to prevent the assembled tennis section from separating, a latch assembly  110 , shown in more detail in  FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ), and comprising post member  112  and latching member  114  is secured to the bottom surface  16  and  18  of table portions  12  and  14 , respectively, as illustrated. After the table portions  12  and  14  are joined to form section  100 , the latches are joined together in a conventional manner, forcing portions  12  and  14  securely together and preventing them from separating. Table section  102 , shown in  FIGS. 1(   d )– 1 ( f ) is formed in an identical manner as section  100 . 
     FIGS. 1(   d ) and  1 ( e ) illustrate how the two assembled table sections  100  and  102  are joined to a device  120  having four (4) casters enabling the assembled table  140  to be moved to a desired position. Device or wheelbase  120  preferably includes two elongate caster base members  121  and  122 , each having casters, enabling the assembled table  140  to be moved to a desired position. Vertical tubular extensions  130  and  132  are mounted to elongate members  121  and  122 . Specifically, the end portions  53  and  55  of leg extensions  22  and  34 , respectively, receive vertical tubular extensions  130  and  132 , thus integrally joining the two table sections  100  and  102  together as shown in  FIG. 1(   e ). In an alternate embodiment (not shown), end portions of  53  and  55  of leg members  22  and  34  are inserted into vertical tubular extensions  130  and  132 . The assembled tennis table  140  is then produced by moving the two table sections  100  and  102  to the horizontal position shown in  FIG. 1(   f ), tennis table  140  being shown with a tennis net  142  secured thereto as illustrated. The assembly steps shown in  FIGS. 1(   d )– 1 ( f ) are basically described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,957 (other than the use of a cross-member connecting the elongate base members), of which the necessary teachings for an understanding of the present invention are incorporated herein by reference. As a preferred feature of the present invention, the cross-member  38  described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,957 is unnecessary, reducing the materials needed and the assembly time of the table. 
   Latch assembly  110  is conventional. 
   The second embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 2(   a )– 2 ( d ) is different to that shown in  FIGS. 1(   a )– 1 ( c ) to the extent that the extendible leg portions  20 ,  22 ,  32  and  34  of the table portions  150  and  152 , when joined together to form one section of tennis table  154  (the same reference numerals are used in each figure to identity identical components), are rotated to their full vertical positions so that tennis table  154  can be positioned directly on a substantially flat surface, such as a floor without the use of device  120 . The second table section ( FIG. 2(   d )) is then positioned adjacent the first table section, are the sections are joined together in a conventional manner to complete the assembly of tennis table  154 . 
   A third embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIGS. 3(   a )– 3 ( c ) is different than that shown in  FIGS. 1(   a )– 1 ( c ) to the extent that the table sections  160  and  162  are each fabricated as single pieces with the extendible leg portions secured on the bottom surface (only surface  164  illustrated). Each table section  160  and  162  is connected to the caster subassemblies  120  as described with reference to  FIGS. 1(   d ) and  1 ( e ), and then unfolded to form tennis table  168  as shown in  FIG. 3(   c ). As previously discussed, the wheelbase does not require a cross-member between the caster subassemblies. 
   The present invention thus provides a compact, collapsible tennis table which is easy to assemble and disassemble without tools and wherein the disassembled tennis table can be easily stored and shipped. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.