Patent Publication Number: US-7913631-B2

Title: Modular portable table

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/917,762, entitled “DECKMIESTER, filed May 14, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to preparation and serving of food in the out-of-doors. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable modular table and methods for assembling the portable modular table for use in preparing and serving food at camp sites, backyard patios and other outdoor venues. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is common for people to spend time in the outdoors in social settings, such as picnics, barbeques, and tailgating at sporting events. At these events, food and drink are served, and this presents a number of problems. Being that the events take place outdoors, it is difficult to have an effective staging area for serving and storing the food. When there are existing structures, such as a picnic tables or the bed of a truck at a tailgate party, the surfaces are generally both unclean and unhygienic. In a remote location, such as in the woods, there may not be any man-made structures to place the food, and this is both inconvenient and unclean if the food must be kept on the ground. 
     It was known in the prior art to provide outdoor kitchen type devices. These outdoor kitchen devices of the prior art are typically employed for storing food stuffs to be transported to an outdoor site and for food preparation. The outdoor site can be a campsite, a camping facility for recreational vehicles or any other outdoor activity typically removed from one&#39;s residence. In the alternative, the outdoor site can be as local as a barbecue grill located at a city park, the beach or even on the patio or in the back yard of one&#39;s residence. A typical outdoor field kitchen device known in the prior art included a structure having a top work surface and storage shelves. The field kitchen device was formed entirely from steel tubing and consequently was very heavy, cumbersome and unstable. Thus the field kitchen device was difficult to transport, assemble and disassemble. 
     The present invention seeks to solve these problems and to make these outdoor social situations more clean, hygienic, and generally more pleasant for the participants. 
     ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable modular table that can be easily assembled and disassembled. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable modular table that can be assembled in a number of different configurations. 
     A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable table that can be constructed of various light weight materials. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a portable table that can be easily transported. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a portable table that is generally stable once assembled. 
     A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable table that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved portable modular table for use in preparing and serving food outdoors in social settings. The novel and non-obvious portable modular table exhibits a robust lightweight design of a lightweight material such as for example plastic. The portable modular table is assembled and disassembled quickly and easily since tools are not required. The horizontal work surface can be positioned at the standard countertop height to facilitate food preparation. When disassembled, the portable modular table can be transported and stored in a waterproof carrying enclosure. 
     In addition, there is a need for a portable modular table to which one or more side tables can be attached in a number of configurations for functions such as accommodating the serving of meals and the support of cooking equipment. 
     According to the present invention, there has been provided a portable modular table comprising main base unit constructed with a lower frame section supported by first and second lower vertical supports; an upper frame section supported by first and second upper vertical supports; the first and second upper vertical supports removably secured to the lower frame section; a counter top forming an upper work surface of the modular table; and the counter top being removably attached to the upper frame section. 
     Further according to the present invention, an upstanding mounting strip extends at least partially across the upper frame section; and the counter top has a slot extending along the length of an undersurface thereof and the slot receives the upstanding mounting strip to secure the counter top to the upper frame section. Also, the counter top is attached along a front side to the upper frame section whereby the opposite rear side of the counter top is cantilevered outward from the upper frame section. Also, at least one vertical support leg is removably secured to the counter top to keep the upper work surface of the counter top parallel with the upper frame section. 
     Still further according to the present invention, a stabilizing support is mounted to the upper frame section and removably secured to the lower frame section to stabilize the upper frame section with respect to the lower frame section. The stabilizing support is mounted to the underside of the upper frame section and is removably secured within a slot formed in a support mounted on the lower frame section. 
     Also according to the present invention, the lower frame includes a bottom shelf having the stabilizing support with a slot disposed thereon. The bottom shelf also has two spaced slotted supports disposed on an upper surface thereof for attaching the first and second upper vertical supports. 
     Yet further according to the present invention, the first and second lower vertical supports are hingedly connected to the lower frame section, the first and second upper vertical supports are hingedly connected to the upper frame section, and the stabilizing support is hingedly mounted to the upper frame section. 
     Still further according to the present invention, the upper frame section has a rectangular opening sized to mount a plurality of boards. The upper frame section is constructed with oppositely disposed end walls and oppositely disposed side walls. In addition, a plurality of slots for connecting other structures to the portable modular table are disposed in an upper surface of the end walls and side walls. 
     According to the present invention, the portable modular table includes one or more attachment components for mounting to the upper and lower frame sections of the main base unit. The one or more attachment components having a support frame with an attachment slot there through, an attachment counter attached to the support frame, and a bottom attachment shelf having one end extending through the attachment slot and disposed substantially parallel to the attachment counter. 
     Also according to the present invention, the attachment counter has a tongue projecting from a free end opposite the end extending through attachment slot. The tongue is adapted to be received in one of the plurality of slots in the upper frame section for connecting the attachment component to the main base unit of the portable modular table. The bottom attachment shelf of the attachment counter has a lip projecting outward there from to engage the bottom shelf of the portable modular table. Also the attachment counter includes a plurality of slots thereabout for attaching other attachment counters thereto. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling the main base unit of a portable modular table comprising the steps of: disposing lower vertical supports perpendicular to a bottom shelf of a lower frame section; disposing upper vertical supports perpendicular to a rectangular frame of an upper frame section; installing the upper frame section onto the lower frame section so that the upper vertical supports engage slotted supports on the bottom shelf; placing a counter top in place so as to be cantilevered outward from the upper frame section; and placing at least one legs in place to support the counter top. 
     Also according to the present invention, the method further includes the step of fitting a stabilizing support between the upper and lower frame sections. 
     Further according to the present invention, the method includes the steps of assembling an attachment component and attaching the attachment component to the main base unit. The steps of assembling the attachment component putting a rectangular support frame into place perpendicular to an attachment counter and inserting an end of a bottom attachment shelf through a slot in the support frame. Next, a tongue extending down from an end of the attachment counter is placed in a slot in the upper frame section of the main base unit and a lip at an end of the bottom attachment shelf is rested on an edge of the bottom shelf of the main base unit. 
     Also according to the present invention, the portable modular table can be constructed from a material selected from the group comprising wood, ABS plastic, PVC, Thermo Plastic Olefin, aluminum, powder coated carbon steel and stainless steel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures (FIGs.). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a “true” cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity. 
       Elements of the figures may (or may not) be numbered as follows. The most significant digits (hundreds) of the reference number correspond to the figure number. For example, elements of  FIG. 1  are typically numbered in the range of 100-199, and elements of  FIG. 2  are typically numbered in the range of 200-299. Similar elements throughout the figures may be referred to by similar reference numerals. For example, the element  199  in  FIG. 1  may be similar (and possibly identical) to the element  299  in  FIG. 2 . Throughout the figures, each of a plurality of elements  199  may be referred to individually as  199   a ,  199   b ,  199   c , etc. Such relationships, if any, between similar elements in the same or different figures will become apparent throughout the specification, including, if applicable, in the claims and abstract. 
       In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting. 
         FIG. 1  is a three dimensional view of a modular portable table, in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the modular portable table, in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a three dimensional view of an optional Dual Level Extension Counter, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known processing steps and materials are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present invention. 
     In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between various elements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes that is of significance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a portable, modular, staging, serving and storage platform or table  10 . The table  10  consists of a main base unit  12  and, if desired, one or more attachment components  14  and  16 . When used in conjunction with each other, the base unit  12  and the attachment components  14 ,  16  comprise a multi-use, multi-purpose unified system  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a thorough description of the portable, modular, staging, serving and storage table  10  follows. The main base unit  12  includes a lower frame section  20  including a bottom shelf  22  supported by opposing lower vertical supports  24  and  26 . The vertical supports  24 , 26  are preferably secured to the bottom shelf  22  by hinges  25  so that the vertical supports can fold-up against the bottom shelf for storage. The hinges  25  can lock into place by conventional means. The lower vertical supports  24 ,  26  are generally of the same construction and of a rectangular shape that includes a base element  28 , a top element  30 , two spaced apart side elements  32 ,  34  and a lattice insert  36  between the base element, the top element, the two spaced apart side elements so that the vertical support structures are stiff or rigid. Two levelers or adjustable feet  38 ,  40  can be provided on the underside of the base element  28  to adjust the height of the base element depending on the terrain it is placed. 
     The bottom shelf  22  preferably has a plurality of parallel slots  41  to reduce the weight of the platform or table  10 . Adjacent one side  22   e  of the bottom shelf  22 , there is provided a rectangular support  42  with a slot  44  adapted to receive a stabilizer as discussed hereinafter. Adjacent either end  22   a  and  22   b  of the shelf  22 , and upon the upper surface  22   f  of the bottom shelf, there is provided a slotted support  46   a ,  46   b , respectively, which is disposed so as to leave an edge  22   c ,  22   d  of the top surface of the upper surface to receive a lip or projection of an attachment component  14  or  16  as described herein after. The slots formed in the slotted supports  46   a ,  46   b  are sized to receive alignment projections disposed on the bottom of the upper vertical supports described herein after. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated an upper frame section  50  including a rectangular frame  52  having an open rectangular center section  54  formed there through by opposite, spaced side walls  52   a  and  52   b  and opposite end walls  52   c  and  52   d . Attached to the undersurface of the end walls  52   c ,  52   d  forming the rectangular frame  52  are vertical supports  56 , 58  that are preferably secured by hinges (not shown, compare with hinges  25 ) so that the vertical supports can fold-up towards the against the open center section  54  for storage. The upper vertical supports  56 ,  58  are generally of the same construction and of a rectangular shape that includes a base element  60 , a top element (not shown), two spaced apart side elements  62 ,  64  and a lattice insert  66  between the base element, the top element, the two spaced apart side elements so that the upper vertical supports are rigid or stiff. A plurality of alignment projections  68  can be provided on the underside of the base elements  60  of the upper vertical supports  56 , 58  to interconnect with the slots formed in the slotted supports  46   a ,  46   b  of the bottom shelf  22 . Note that the slots formed in the slotted supports  46   a ,  46   b  are sized and shaped to receive the alignment projections  68  disposed on the bottom of base element  60  of the upper vertical supports  56 ,  58  described herein after. 
     A rectangular stabilizing support  70  is mounted to the underside of the side wall  52   b  of upper frame section  50  and is adapted to be removably secured within the slot  44  of the rectangular support  42  mounted on the upper surface of the bottom shelf  22  of the lower frame section  20  so as to stabilize the upper frame section with respect to the lower frame section. The rectangular stabilizing support  70  can be constructed of two side elements  70   a ,  70   b , a top element  70   c  and bottom element  70   d . The bottom element  70   d  is sized to fit into the slot  44  of rectangular support  42 . The rectangular stabilizing support  70  is preferably secured to the bottom surface of side wall  52   b  of the upper rectangular frame  52  by hinges  25  (not shown) so that the rectangular stabilizing support can fold-up towards the sidewall  52   a  of the rectangular frame for storage. 
     The rectangular opening  54  of the upper rectangular frame  52  is sized to receive a plurality of boards  80 . The boards  80  can have a lip extending outward from each of the  4  sides of the board. When the board  80  is inserted into one end of the opening  54 , it is held in place by two of the opposite lips resting on the opposite upper surfaces of the side walls  52   a ,  52   b  of frame  52  and a third of the lips resting on an upper end surface of the wall  52   c . While a solid board  80  is shown, it is also within the terms of the invention to provide the board  80  with an opening  80   e  there through. It is further within the terms of the present invention for the opening  80   e  to have any desired configuration, specifically to receive containers of various sizes. 
     Along the side wall  52   b  of the upper rectangular frame  52  there is an upstanding mounting strip  82  extending along and generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the wall  52   b . The mounting strip  82  is sized to be received in a slot formed in the bottom of the counter component  92  as described herein after. 
     Extending into and along the upper surfaces of the walls  52   a ,  52   c  and  52   d  of frame  52  are a plurality of slots  86  used to connect other structures, such as attachment components  14  and  16 , to the main base unit. While any number of slots can be provided in each of the sidewalls, preferably, there is a single slot  86  in the upper surfaces of each of the end walls  52   c  and  52   d  and a plurality of slots  86  in the upper surfaces of each of the side wall  52   a . The use of these slots will be discussed herein after. 
     A counter top  90  providing the upper work surface  92  of the modular platform or table  10  is removably attached to the upper frame section  50 . Counter  90  has a slot  94  extending along the length of the undersurface  90   b  of the counter top  90  disposed near the front end  90   a  of the counter top. The undersurface side of the counter top  90   b  can also be provided with two threaded components (not shown) to receive legs  96  and  98  closer to the opposite rear end  90   c  of the counter top. The legs  96  and  98  can be easily installed or removed from the counter top  90 . The counter top  90  can also have a through bore  100  to receive an umbrella (not shown). 
     To assemble the main base unit  12  of the portable modular table or platform  10 , the lower frame  20  is first put in place by unfolding the lower vertical supports  24  and  26  to extend downward and perpendicular to the bottom shelf  22 . Then the upper vertical supports  56  and  58  are unfolded and moved to extend downward and perpendicular to the side walls  52   a ,  52   b  and end walls  52   c , 52   d  of rectangular frame  52 . Also the stabilizing support can also be moved to extend downward and parallel to the upper vertical supports  56  and  58  and perpendicular to the rectangular frame  52 . 
     Next the upper frame section  50  is installed onto the lower frame section  20  so that the plurality of alignment projections  68  on the underside of the base elements  60  can be fitted into the slots formed in the slotted supports  46   a ,  46   b  of the bottom shelf  22 . Also, the stabilizing support  70  can be fitted into the slot  44  of rectangular support  42  of the bottom shelf  22 . 
     Continuing, the legs  96  and  98  can be attached to the counter top  90 . The counter top  90  can then be put in place as shown in  FIG. 1  with the mounting strip  82  received in slot  94  and the counter top cantilevered outward from the upper frame section  50 . In this embodiment, legs  96  and  98  are preferably in place to support the counter top. At this point, the desired number of boards  80  can be put into place within the opening  54 . 
     It is also within the terms of the present invention to position the counter top  90  directly on the upper frame section  50  so that the mounting strip  82  is received in slot  94  and the opposite end  90   c  of the counter top is disposed over the front wall  52   a  of the rectangular frame  52 . In this arrangement, the legs  96  and  98  are not used. In order to collapse the main base unit  12 , the preceding described steps are practiced in reverse order. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the portable, modular, staging, serving and storage platform or table  10 , as described above, consists of a main base unit  12  and one or more attachment components  14  and  16 , as shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 . When the attachment components  14  and/or  16  are used in conjunction with the base unit  12 , the result is a multi-use, multi-purpose unified system  10 . 
     The system  10  can be arranged in a multitude of configurations by the end-user. The number of attachment points on the base unit  12  and the number of attachments  14  and  16  connected thereto define the upper limit as to the number of possible configurations. The end-user can arrange the base unit  12  and attachment components  14  and  16  to any desired configuration based upon and predicated by the needs of any particular application. The system&#39;s flexibility also allows for configuration to accommodate either right or left-handed users equally. The system has been designed to provide maximum flexibility to the end-user. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a description of attachment component  14  follows. It is to be understood, that while only attachment component  14  is described, it is identical with other attachment components such as component  16 . 
     Attachment component  14  includes a rectangular support frame  110  including two side frame components  110   a  and  110   b , a bottom frame component  110   c , and a top frame component  110   d . Within the center portion of the support frame  110  are spaced center frame components  110   e  and  110   f . The spaced center frame components  110   e  and  110   f  are attached at their ends to side frame components  110   a  and  110   b  and form a through slot  112 . 
     Between the center frame components  110   e  and  110   f , and the two side frame components  110   a  and  110   b , the bottom frame component  110   c  and the top frame component  110   d  are two rectangular openings  111   a  and  111   b . Within the rectangular openings  111   a  and  111   b  are provided lattice insert  113   a  and  113   b , respectively, to add rigidity to the support frame  110 . 
     The rectangular support frame  110  can include two levelers on the underside of the frame component  110   c  to adjust the location of the base element depending on the terrain it is placed. 
     An attachment counter  114  is provided and has the rectangular support frame  110  preferably secured by hinges (not shown) to the underside  114   a  of the attachment counter so that the support frame can fold-up against the bottom surface  114   a  of the attachment counter  114 . 
     The attachment counter  114  has a top surface  114   b , two side surfaces  114   c  and  114   d  and opposite end surfaces  144   e  and  114   f . Side strips  118   a ,  118   c  and  118   d  extend around side surfaces  114   d  and  114   c  and end surfaces  144   f , respectively. The attachment counter  114  includes an attachment member  116  (See  FIG. 2 ) extending from the top surface  114   b  and downwards towards the undersurface  114   a  of the attachment counter. Also the tongue  116  is spaced from the front end of side surface  114   e  (compare surface  116   e ), as best seen on the counter  16  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The attachment counter  114  also includes a plurality of slots  120  between the side strips  118   a ,  118   b  and  118   c  and the edges  114   d ,  114   f  and  114   c , respectively of the attachment counter. The slots  120  are receive the projecting tongue of other attachment structures to secure those attachment structures to attachment counter  114 . 
     The attachment counter  114  also includes a bottom attachment shelf  130 . Bottom attachment shelf  130  preferably has a plurality of parallel slots  132  to reduce the weight of the attachment counter  114 . At one end  130   a  of the bottom attachment shelf  130 , there is provided a tongue  131  extending outward from the bottom surface  130   b  of the attachment shelf. The opposite end  130   c  of the attachment shelf has a lip  134  projecting outward from end surface  130   c.    
     To assemble attachment component  14 , the rectangular support frame  110  is first unfolded into place, perpendicular to the attachment counter  114 . Then the end  130   a  of bottom attachment shelf  130  is inserted through the opening  112  and secured therein by tongue  131  extending downward from the bottom surface  130   b.    
     Then, the attachment component  14  can be assembled to the main base unit  12  of the storage platform  10 . The attachment component  14  is moved into place so that the tongue  116  extending down from the end  114   e  of the attachment counter is placed in one of the slots  86  along one of the walls  52   a ,  52   c  and  52   d  of upper frame  52  of base unit  12 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the attachment counter  14  is mounted to one end of the main base unit  12  and another attachment counter  16  is mounted to an opposite end. At the same time, the lip  134  at the end of the bottom attachment shelf  130  can rest on the edge  22   c ,  22   d  of the bottom shelf  22 . 
     Another important aspect of this invention is its streamlined design. The width, height and depth of the invention do not require or use a large amount of floor space when assembled. Therefore, it will create a relatively large amount of serving and display capacity in a relatively small footprint thus creating a high level of efficiency. 
     Additionally, the system can be easily assembled or disassembled by one or more persons. The invention has been designed to allow for assembly or disassembly without the use or need of any hand or power tools. All system components are designed to go together in a “Dry-Fit” mode of assembly. All parts of the base unit as well as the accessory components will only attach to each other in the manner for which they were designed and intended. 
     This invention can be produced in a variety of materials. Among those materials are: wood (in a variety of species), ABS plastic, PVC, Thermo Plastic Olefin, aluminum, powder coated carbon steel and stainless steel. However, the product may also be constructed of other materials that are not specifically here named. The invention may have several types of different finishes applied during its manufacture. Examples of such finishes could include, but are not limited to: smooth finish, textured finish, painted finishes or a faux wood-grain finish. 
     The invention is equally suited for indoor or outdoor use. 
     Because of its design and construction, this invention would work well on a flat and mostly level surface such as on a patio, a deck, a porch, a driveway or other such surface. However, with the utilization of the ground support stabilizer attachments, the invention would also be well suited for use on a lawn or other non-level applications. The invention is portable. 
     The invention, in any one or more of its configurations could be used for an individual social gathering at the consumer level. The invention could be equally well suited for use in any commercial environment such as a commercial catering situation or in a restaurant, a hotel, a swimming club, a sports bar, etc. 
     There could be many other viable utilizations of this invention. This product could be used wherever a consumer requires a large flat surface. An example of such a use would be as in the potting of flowers or plants; or when used in connection with the cleaning or harvesting of fruits or vegetables from a garden. Another secondary use would be to utilize the invention as a work space platform for scrap-booking or the wrapping of gifts or presents. Additionally a student could use the invention&#39;s surfaces as a base for the building of science projects. In any of its multiple confirmations, the invention would serve a either a basic storage device or display device providing a large area for such usage. 
     Because of its assembly and disassembly characteristics, the invention will be highly transportable. This aspect will allow multiple other uses at different locations. Such locations and other uses could be as a serving table at a tail gate party such as at a football game, baseball game or auto race. Other venues for use might include: fishing, hunting or camping trip or on a vacation by a lake or the ocean. 
     Several primary and secondary potential applications for this product have been identified. However, there are still many other unidentified and yet to be recognized applications that will only be discovered and utilized by the end user of this invention based upon their particular need, application and circumstance. 
     Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, etc.) the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.