Abstract:
An adjustable table having a table top having a first dimension and a second dimension, the second dimension being longer than the first dimension is described. At least four legs extending from the table top to a supporting surface are provided. A backing member extends substantially vertically from the table top along one of the first dimension or the second dimension. First and second cross members each extend between and are coupled to two of the legs. A transverse member is provided between the first cross member and the second member and a container extends along the transverse member. The container includes a plurality of weighted compartments.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/220,627 filed on Jun. 26, 2009, titled ADJUSTABLE TABLE which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to tables. In particular the present invention relates to adjustable height tables. Often, only a small area is offered by decks and patios attached to multi-unit dwellings. Many of these decks and patios are not large enough in area to allow for a comfortable arrangement of a conventional round table and chairs. Also, even a deck or patio of a larger area often lacks a sufficient amount of table surface for the various activities of the given space, e.g., near or alongside the outdoor grill. Accordingly, there is a need for a table that is compatible with the often small decks and patios associated with multi-unit dwellings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of the invention unit being used within a standard deck setting. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a perspective drawing, showing a view of the bottom side of the table frame highlighting the relationships between the detachable backing members, involved brackets, and the table frame. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing, showing the functionality of the parts within the backing member bracket(s) and receiving bracket(s). 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the table frame, showing the manner in which the tile(s) are se in the table frame. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the side board  43  in relation to adjustable legs  40  and base member  50 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a perspective of view of the side board  41  in relation to adjustable legs  40  and base member  35 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  is perspective view of the underside of the invention unit. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the primary container  60 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the invention unit being used against a railing in “bar mode”. 
           [0012]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the invention unit being used against a railing in “table mode”. 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the invention unit being used in the center of a given patio or deck floor. 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of two invention units being used modularly, against a railing in “table mode”. 
           [0015]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of two invention units being used modularly, against a railing in “bar mode.” 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY 
       [0016]    Some embodiments relate to a table having a table top having a first dimension and a second dimension, the second dimension being longer than the first dimension. At least four legs extending from the table top to a supporting surface are provided. A backing member extends substantially vertically from the table top along one of the first dimension or the second dimension. First and second cross members each extend between and are coupled to two of the legs. The second cross member extends generally parallel to the first cross member. A transverse member is provided between the first cross member and the second member. A primary container extends along the transverse member and proximate to the supporting surface. The container includes a plurality of weighted compartments. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Some embodiments of the invention include table that is rectangular in shape; this allows more space for the seating around it to be maneuvered. The table can be used for cooking and serving food, dining, entertainment, or leisure. The table can be accompanied by chairs or stools, because the legs are adjustable in height. The table is freestanding; it can be positioned in an interior area of a deck or patio, or along the perimeter of the space, for example, along the railing when the table is used with backing members. The table is designed so it can be used as a single unit, or multiple units can be used together in a modular fashion. Both, the single unit and multiple units can be used in a variety of arrangements. The bottom of each set of legs may be connected and stabilized by a base member. These two base members each have two feet that depending on the manner in which the table is being used, can be extended to give the table a wider base. Connected between these base members for added stability is a cross member support, and a weighted container to help anchor the table. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1  is the invention  11 , which is shown being used on a typical deck or patio, with railing  99 , balusters  98  and floor  97 . The table frame  10  is comprised of a front board  42 , back board  44 , side board  41 , and side board  43 . Shown resting within this frame are tiles  45 . The table frame is shown being used with the detachable backing members  20  and  30 . Note the top edges of the backing members are flush with the top edge of the railing  99 . The height of the table frames  10  is to be set below the height of the rail, in use with the detachable backing members  20  and/or  30 , when used next to such a structure. Extending downwards from the table frame  10  are (4) height adjustable legs  40 . The bottoms of these height adjustable legs  40  are connected to base members  50  and  35 . Resting between base members  50  and  35  is the primary container  60 . 
         [0019]    Depicted in  FIG. 2  are the detachable backing members  20  and  30 . Detachable backing member  20  is shown with backing member bracket  22 . On the bottom of side board  41  is a receiving bracket  55  for the backing member bracket  22 . Detachable backing member  20  with backing member bracket  22  can also be inserted and attached to receiving bracket  65 , which is under side board  43 . Detachable backing member  30  has two attached backing member brackets  24  and  26 , which can be inserted in receiving brackets  75  and  85  respectively. Receiving brackets  75  and  85  are attached on the bottom of the back board  44 . Also, shown in the drawing is the tile support board  46 , and tiles  45 . The tiles  45  rest between the front board  42  and back board  44 , and on the top edge of the tile support board  46 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a detail of backing member brackets  22 ,  24 , and  26 , receiving brackets  55 ,  65 ,  75 , and  85 . Each of these backing member brackets  22 ,  24 , and  26  have a vertical section  51  that is mounted to the back of edge of the respective backing member, by drilling screws through holes  90 . The vertical section  51  is connected to the horizontal section  53 , which has at its terminus, housing  76 , for the spring loaded button  54 . The housing  76  is comprised of a top edge  96 , bottom edge  95 , and (4) side edges  91 . A hole  79  is in the bottom edge  95 . Shown extending through the hole  79  is the spring loaded button  54 . The spring loaded button  54  is attached to a backing  57 , which rests against the interior face of the bottom edge  95 , keeping the spring loaded button  54  in place within the hole  79 , when the spring is not being compressed. The spring  69 , rests between the interior faces of button  54  and top edge  96 . 
         [0021]    The exterior dimensions of the housing  76  of backing member brackets  22 ,  24 , and  26  allow it to fit firmly within the interior faces of the receiving brackets  55 ,  65 ,  75 , and  85 . The receiving brackets  55 .  65 .  75 . and  85  have flanges  61  and  63  with holes  89  for mounting. Side edges  62  and  64  are connected to a bottom edge  66 . Bottom edge  66  has a hole  77 . The diameter of hole  77  allows for the spring loaded bracket  54  to fit firmly inside of it. 
         [0022]    The housing  76  of backing member brackets  22 ,  24 , and  26  can be inserted into the respective receiving bracket  55  or  65 ,  75  and  85  when the spring loaded button is compressed. As the spring loaded button  54  crosses hole  77  in the respective receiving bracket, the spring decompresses, locking the brackets. The backing member bracket(s)  22 ,  24 , and  26  can be released from their respective receiving brackets  55  or  65 ,  75  and  85  by compressing the spring loaded button  54  and simultaneously pulling the backing member bracket(s) away from the receiving bracket(s). 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a detail of the table frame  10 , shown is front board  42 , back board  44 , side board  41 , and tile support board  46 . The front board  42 , has on it&#39;s inside vertical edge a tile slot  23  and tile slot pin(s)  21 . The back board  44  has a tile slot  25 . Tile slots  23  and  25  along with the tile pin(s)  21  hold the tile(s)  45  in place within the table frame  10 . To insert the tile(s)  45  into the table frame  10  the tile slot pin(s)  21  are removed, one edge of the tile  45  is inserted into tile slot  23  until the opposite edge of the tile  45  clears the inside vertical edge of back board  44 . Then, the tile  45  can be slid to the back vertical edge of tile slot  25 . This allows the tile slot pin(s)  21  to be put back in place, and the tile  45  is firmly positioned within the table frame  10 . This is to be repeated until all the tiles  45  are in place in the table frame  10 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  shows the main components of the adjustable leg(s)  40  and base member  50 . The top of adjustable leg(s)  40  are connected to the bottom edges of the side board  43 . The top section(s)  47  of adjustable leg(s)  40 , house the interior leg section(s)  17 . The bottom portion of interior leg section(s)  17  houses a spring loaded button(s)  88  which extends through the adjustment hole(s)  86 , when it is decompressed. The interior leg section(s)  17  slides freely inside the exterior leg section(s)  27 , when the spring loaded button(s)  88  is compressed. When the spring loaded button(s)  88  pass the adjustment holes  86 , the spring loaded button(s)  88  decompress, locking the interior leg section(s)  17  with the exterior leg section(s)  27 , locking the table height in place. To unlock the set position the spring loaded button(s)  88  can be compressed to allow the interior leg section(s)  17  to once again move freely within the exterior leg section(s)  27 . 
         [0025]    Attached to the bottom of exterior leg section(s)  27  is base member  50 . The base member  50  houses retractable base sections  28  and  38 , which slide freely inside the base member  50  when the spring loaded buttons  68  are compressed. When the spring loaded buttons  68  pass the adjustment hole(s)  37 , the button(s)  68  decompress, locking the retractable base sections  28  and  38  into the desired position with the base member  50 . The retractable base section  28  is shown extended, and the retractable base section  38  is shown in its original position. To unlock the position of the retractable base sections  28  and  38  the spring loaded buttons  68  can be compressed and the retractable base sections can slide into the alternate positions. Each retractable base section  28  and  38  has a foot  18  attached to the bottom edge of the exterior terminus. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows the main components of the adjustable leg(s)  40  and base member  35 . The top of adjustable leg(s)  40  are connected to the bottom edges of the side board  41 . The top section(s)  47  of adjustable leg(s)  40 , house the interior leg section(s)  17 . The bottom portion of interior leg section(s)  17  houses a spring loaded button(s)  88  which extends through the adjustment hole(s)  86 , when it is decompressed. The interior leg section(s)  17  slides freely inside the exterior leg section(s)  27 , when the spring loaded button(s)  88  is compressed. When the spring loaded button(s)  88  pass the adjustment holes  86 , the spring loaded button(s)  88  decompress, locking the interior leg section(s)  17  with the exterior leg section(s)  27 , locking the table height in place. To unlock the set position the spring loaded button(s)  88  can be compressed to allow the interior leg section(s)  17  to once again move freely within the exterior leg section(s)  27 . 
         [0027]    Attached to the bottom of exterior leg section(s)  27  is base member  35 . The base member  35  houses retractable base sections  19  and  29 , which slide freely inside the base member  35  when the spring loaded buttons  68  are compressed. When the spring loaded buttons  68  pass the adjustment hole(s)  37 , the button(s)  68  decompress, locking the retractable base sections  19  and  29  into the desired position with the base member  35 . The retractable base section  19  is shown extended, and the retractable base section  29  is shown in its original position. To unlock the position of the retractable base sections  19  and  29  the spring loaded buttons  68  can be compressed and the retractable base sections can slide into the alternate positions. Each retractable base section  19  and  29  has a foot  18  attached to the bottom edge of the exterior terminus. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the underside of the primary container  60 , which is connected to the cross member support  48 . The cross member support  48  extends between the base members  35  and  50 . Also, shown is the relation of the adjustable leg(s)  40  with the bottom sides of side boards  41  and  43 , of the table frame  10 . Each of the adjustable leg(s)  40  is set back from the bottom corners of side boards  41  and  43 . This allows the outside edges of the feet  18 , not to extend past the outside edges of the table frame  10  when the retractable base sections  19 ,  29 ,  28 , and  38  are in their original positions. So, when two or more invention units are being used modularly, the units can be positioned flush against one another. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the top of the primary container  60 . The primary container  60  is a rectangular shaped box, with sides  31  and  73 , front board  32 , back board  34 , bottom board  39 , and hinged lid  87 . The primary container  60  houses weighted containers  33 . These weighted containers  33  are plastic, and when filled with water, sand etc. give the unit added stability. 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the invention unit  11  being used in “bar mode” against the railing  99 , on the surface  97 , with use of the backing member  30 . The retractable base sections  19  and  28  are in the extended positions to give the table increased stability. The retractable base sections  29  and  38  are in the original positions, to allow the invention unit  11  to sit flush against the front edge of the railing  99 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the invention unit  11  being used in “table mode” against the railing  99 , on the surface  97 , with use of the backing member  20 . The retractable base sections  19 ,  29 ,  28 , and  38  are shown in the extended positions to give the table increased stability. 
         [0032]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the invention unit  11  being used in the interior space of the surface  97 . The retractable base sections  19 ,  29 ,  28 , and  38  are shown in the extended positions to give the table increased stability. 
         [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the invention units  11  and  14  being used modularly in “table mode” on the surface  97 , with the backing members  20  of each unit against the railing  99 . The retractable base sections  29  and  38  of each unit are in the extended positions to give the tables added stability. The retractable base sections  19  and  28  are in the original positions to allow the invention units  11  and  14  can be positioned flush up against one another. 
         [0034]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the invention units  11  and  14  being used modularly in “bar mode” against the railing  99 , on the surface  97 , with the backing members  30 . The retractable base sections  28  and  38  are in the extended positions to give the tables added stability. The retractable base sections  19  and  38  are in the original positions so the invention units  11  and  14  can sit flush against the railing  99 . 
         [0035]    Although the description above contains much specificity, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the synchronization system has been designed so that it can serve to deliver both very large content items and very small data items of any type to a plurality of users with or without continuous Internet access. While a particular implementation of the system involves using the synchronization system to transfer videos, messages, work flow diagrams, tests, and performance statistics, the synchronization system could be used independently with any one or a plurality of those applications or to manage any type of data transfer over networks. Furthermore, the invention of the team communication platform can be applied to any one or a plurality of numerous team environments where communication and team interaction are important. These environments include, but are not limited to, team sports, healthcare, education, government, and business. 
         [0036]    Thus, the scope of the claim should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.