Patent Publication Number: US-2006000393-A1

Title: Table with ornamental display

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not Applicable.  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable.  
     BACKGROUND  
      1. The Field of the Invention  
      The present disclosure relates generally to furniture, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to tables with ornamental displays.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      It is common practice to utilize furniture items to display ornamental features. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,078 discloses a table top insert that holds a scale model of a familiar landscape. The table top includes an enclosure for receiving the model. Transparent coverings are placed over the enclosure through which the model can be viewed. However the device is configured to prevent easy access to the model. Accordingly, once the model is constructed and enclosed in the table top, the model is not easily accessed to make alterations to the model. Moreover, the features of the model are intended to be fixed in place such that the configuration of the model is not easily altered.  
      A customized table top is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,392. The table top has a transparent cover through which inserts, such as advertisements or menus, may be viewed. The table top is intended for use in commercial establishments, such as restaurants, to allow commercial information to be displayed and changed. However, the table top is configured to hold planar sheets rather than multiple objects of differing sizes and shapes. Accordingly, the versatility of the table top is limited.  
      The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that are addressed by the present disclosure. The present disclosure minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein.  
      The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a table in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 2  is an end view of the table of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an end, cross-sectional view of the table of  FIG. 1 , taken along section A-A;  
       FIG. 4  is a top view of an alternative embodiment table;  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the alternative embodiment table of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of an additional alternative embodiment table; and  
       FIG. 7  is an end view of the alternative embodiment table of  FIG. 6 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.  
      It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.  
      In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.  
      As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view is shown of an embodiment of a furniture device or table, indicated generally at  10 , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that although the furniture device  10  is illustrated herein as a coffee table, the principles of the present disclosure may be used with various other pieces of furniture such as end tables, dining room tables, or desks for example.  
      The table  10  may include an upper portion  12  supported by one or more legs  14 . It will be understood that the upper portion  12  and legs  14  may be formed in various different styles within the scope of the present disclosure, as illustrated by the alternative embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 4-7 , for example.  
      As shown most clearly in  FIG. 3 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the table  10  taken along section A-A, the upper portion  12  may include a base member  16 . The base member  16  may have an upper surface  18  and may be formed of any suitable material known in the art such as wood, particle board, fiberglass, plastic or metal, for example. The upper portion  12  may also have a perimeter wall  20 . The perimeter wall  20  may have an interior surface  22  that intersects with the upper surface  18  of the base member  16  to define a cavity  24 . It will be understood that the perimeter wall  20  may be formed of a plurality of members connected together on each side of the table  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Alternatively, the perimeter wall  20  may be formed of a single member on each side of the table  10 .  
      A plurality of movable objects  26  may be arranged in the cavity  24  for being configured in an ornamental display. The plurality of movable objects  26  may include various items such as sand particles, various types of shells, rocks and wood pieces, for example. The plurality of movable objects  26  may be configured in arrangements that may have various different appearances, such as the natural appearance of the ocean floor or beach for example. It will be appreciated that the term “movable” as used herein shall refer to objects that are not attached to each other or the table  10 , such that the objects can be arranged and re-arranged with respect to each other and the table  10 . Moreover, some of the moveable objects  26  may be removed from the table  10  and others may be placed in the table  10 . It will be understood that the movable objects  26  may include various other items, in arrangements having various different configurations within the scope of the present disclosure.  
      A substantially transparent cover  28  may be placed over the cavity  24  such that the plurality of movable objects  26  may be viewed through the cover  28 . The cover  28  may define a table top forming an uppermost portion of the table  10  over the cavity  24 . The cover  28  may be formed of various different materials within the scope of the present disclosure, such as glass or plastic for example. It will be understood that the cover  28  may be formed of a single piece, or multiple separate pieces.  
      In one aspect of the disclosure, as shown most clearly in the embodiment of the table  10   a  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the cover  28   a  may include indicia or depictions  29 . It will be understood that the embodiment of the table  10   a  is merely on of the numerous embodiments possible, having an upper portion  12   a  and legs  14   a . The depictions  29  may include any of a variety of colors and may depict various different designs or objects such as sea creatures and plants for example. The depictions  29  may be formed as stained glass ornamentation, though it will be understood that the depictions  29  may be formed in any manner known in the art, and may be used with any of the styles of the table  10 . The depictions  29  on the cover  28   a  may be useful to enhance the three dimensional display within the table  10   a  since the depictions  29  may be located at a different level within the table  10   a  as compared to the movable objects  26 . Moreover, the depictions  29  may add to the color and aesthetic beauty of the table  10   a.    
      Referring again to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the perimeter wall  20  may include an interior circumferential recess  30  for supporting the cover  28 . In one embodiment, the circumferential recess  30  may be formed of a support member  32  positioned on an interior side of the perimeter wall  20 . The perimeter wall  20  may form a rim  34  extending above the support member  32 . The circumferential recess  30  may be configured such that the cover  28  may rest on top of the support member  32  and at least a portion of the cover  28  may be bounded in a lateral direction by the rim  34 . It will be understood that the perimeter wall  20  may alternatively be formed of a single piece, and the circumferential recess  30  may be formed by cutting into the perimeter wall  20 .  
      It will be understood that the area circumscribed by the rim  34  may be slightly larger than that of the cover  28  such that when the cover  28  is placed within the circumferential recess  30  a lateral gap  36  may exist between the rim  34  and the cover  28 . The lateral gap  36  may allow a tool, such as a blade or a screw driver for example, to be inserted for prying or lifting the cover  28  out of the circumferential recess  30  so that the cover  28  may be removed. Accordingly, the cover  28  may be removable such that the cavity  24  may be accessed without undue burden or causing damage to the table  10 . Moreover, the cavity  24  may be accessed without even removing fasteners or other attachment mechanisms. The cover  28  may be held in place by gravity and the rim  34 . The removable cover  28  may allow the placement of additional objects  26  or the rearrangement of the objects  26  as desired. The circumferential recess  30  and the rim  34  may thus form a means for supporting the cover  28  such that the cover  28  may be removably supported over the cavity  24 . Accordingly, if a person acquires additional objects  26  such as shells, for example while combing the beach or diving, the objects  26  may be added to the table  10 . However, it will be understood that the cover  28  may alternatively be fixed to the perimeter wall  20 , or that the cover  28  may be hingedly attached, if so desired, within the scope of the present disclosure.  
      It may be desirable in certain embodiments of the present disclosure to maintain some of the moveable objects  26  separated. Thus, one or more partitions  38  may be placed in the cavity  24  to form a barrier to prevent mixing of the movable objects  26 . This may allow objects  26  having different sizes, colors or varieties to be placed in different locations on the tale  10  to create a desired display. The partitions  38  may extend from the interior surface  22  of the perimeter wall  20  and may contact the upper surface  18  of the base member  16 .  
      The partitions  38  may also be used to provide structural support to the table  10 . For example, the partitions  38  may extend along the length of the table  10  and be joined to the perimeter wall  20  at opposing ends of the table  10 . The partitions  38  may also be attached to the base member  16  to add further strength to the base member  16  to assist in supporting the weight of the plurality of movable objects  26 . Also, the partitions  38  may be arranged such that the partitions intersect. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cross partition  40  may extend across the width of the table  10  and one or more partitions  38  may intersect the cross partition  40  at a substantially perpendicular angle. The cross partition  40  may have a larger diameter than the partitions  38  such that openings may be formed in the cross partition  40  for receiving the partitions  38  therethrough. Thus, the table  10  may be formed in a structurally stable arrangement to support the weight of the movable objects  26  which may be substantial. Also, the support member  32  forming the circumferential recess  30  may be placed on top of the partitions  38 , such that the partitions  38  may assist in carrying the load of the cover  28 .  
      In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a lashing  42  may be used to connect the various components of the table  10 . The lashing  42  may be formed of any of a variety of suitable flexible strands such as palm leaves, rattan, vines, leather, or wicker, for example. The lashing  42  may provide a natural appearing connection that may be complementary to the objects  26 . It will be understood, however, that other connection devices may be used to construct the table  10  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.  
      The table  10  may have various different styles, configurations, and dimensions within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, one embodiment of the table  10  may have a length of approximately 48 inches, a width of approximately 21 inches, and a height of approximately 16 inches. The cavity  24  may have a depth of approximately 2 inches. It will be understood, however, that various other dimensions may be used. Also, brace members  44  of various different styles and configurations may be used with the table  10 . The brace members  44  may extend between the legs  14  and the upper portion  12  of the table  10  to provide additional support to the table  10 .  
      The table  10  may be formed of various different materials. For example, the table  10  may be formed of a bamboo material such that the upper portion  12  and the legs  14  may be formed of a plurality of members connected together. The material used to construct the table  10  may provide an aesthetically pleasing, natural appearance that may be complementary to the objects  26 . It will be appreciated that other materials such as mango, or mahogany wood, as well as other varieties of wood, metal, plastic or composite materials may be used to construct the table  10  within the scope of the present disclosure.  
      The table  10  may be assembled and the objects  26  may be placed in the cavity  24  in a desired arrangement. The table  10  may be shipped by separating the objects  26  in a separate container apart from the remainder of the table  10  so that the objects do not move or spill. The objects  26  may be treated to remove any unwanted or harmful substances if so desired. The objects  26  may be arranged within the cavity  24  in any desirable display configuration, and the cover  28  may be placed over the cavity. If additional objects  26  are desired to be placed within the cavity, the cover  28  may be removed by lifting the cover  28  out of the circumferential recess  30 . Moreover, the same objects  26  may be re-arranged such that the table  10  may easily be configured in variable displays.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an alternative embodiment table  10   b  is shown. The alternative embodiment table  10   b  may have legs  14   b  and a perimeter wall  20   b  supporting a substantially transparent cover  28   b . The alternative embodiment table  10   b  may not have a cavity to support movable objects, rather an arrangement of partitions  38   b ,  40   b  may be viewed through the cover  28   b  to provide an ornamental display. The partitions  38   b  may intersect the perimeter wall  20   b , and may include at least two partitions  38   b  extending substantially parallel to each other in a first direction. At least one partition  40   b  may extend substantially perpendicular to the first direction and intersect at least one of the partitions  38   b  and the perimeter wall  20   b . It will be understood that the perimeter wall  20   b  may include openings at  46  for receiving the partitions  38   b ,  40   b . Similarly, the partitions  38   b  may include openings  48  for receiving the partitions  40   b . The partitions  40   b  may include a plurality of members attached together with a lashing  50 . The lashing  50  may be formed of various different materials such as those discussed above.  
      The table  10   b  may also include other brace members  44   b  which may be formed similar to the partitions  38   b ,  40   b , connecting the legs  14   b  or the perimeter wall  20   b . It will be appreciated that the partitions  38   b ,  40   b  and the brace members  44   b  may have a dual purpose of providing a structurally stable table  10   b  as well as providing a pleasant ornamental design visible through the cover  28   b.    
      It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus disclosed herein is merely one example of a means for removably supporting the cover, and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system for removably supporting the cover which performs functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of a means for removably supporting the cover, including those structures, apparatus or systems for removably supporting a cover which are presently known, or which may become available in the future. Anything which functions the same as, or equivalently to, a means for removably supporting a cover falls within the scope of this element.  
      In accordance with the features and combinations described above, a useful method of displaying an ornamental configuration in a furniture device includes the steps of: 
          a) forming a cavity in the furniture;     b) arranging a plurality of movable objects in the cavity to form the ornamental configuration; and     c) placing a removable, substantially transparent cover over the cavity.        

      Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provide by the features of the present disclosure. For example, it is a feature of the present disclosure to provide a furniture device that is simple in design and manufacture. Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide such a furniture device capable of displaying a plurality of movable objects in an aesthetically pleasing configuration. It is a further feature of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide a furniture device with a removable cover so that the display can easily be re-arranged.  
      In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present disclosure.  
      It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.