Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/SE2009/000323 filed Jun. 23, 2009 entitled COOKING TABLE, which claims priority from Swedish Application No. 0801.488-8 filed Jun. 24, 2008 entitled COOKING TABLE, the entire contents of both are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD and BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to a mobile cooking table. Today many young people are living an active life and have somewhat of nomad lifestyle. They commonly perform multiple tasks simultaneously and are socially connected. They do not have high end equipment in there kitchen, and are commonly living in small apartments. They are often single or living alone. They commonly do not have any set schedule at home but are also surrounded by technological gadgets. This commonly results in them eating alone and or with a small number of friends but while watching TV or using the Internet. However, many of them also prefer good quality but simple meals, using basic accessories, and with quick preparation. An adaptive cooking appliance to assist them under these lifestyle conditions would be beneficial. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Aspects of the disclosure pertain to a mobile cooking table having an induction hob and a plurality of wheels for enabling the mobile cooking table to be rolled on a supporting surface. 
         [0004]    According to another aspect, a mobile cooking table includes a cooking device having a substantially planar cooking surface and a frame with a plurality of wheels. A power coupling is located on at least one of the wheels. The power coupling, when connected, serves to lock at least one of the wheels. 
         [0005]    According to another aspect, a mobile cooking table includes a table top, a frame having telescopic legs with wheels at their bottom ends and a magnetic power coupling coupled to at one wheel. The table top includes an induction hob and a removable cutting board or a removable tray. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provide a better understanding, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements, and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cooking table according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the table top of the cooking table in isolation; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the table top; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a exploded perspective view of the cooking table showing the removable cutting board in a removed state; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective view and side views, respectively, of the cooking table illustrating its height adjustable capabilities; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a schematic side view of a leg of the cooking table; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a detail of the underside of the table top showing a user operable switch for controlling height adjustment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a wheel and the power plug with prongs; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the plug coupled to the wheel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1-10  illustrate details of a cooking table  10  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The cooking table  10  is in essence a mobile cooking station. According to the depicted embodiment, the cooking table  10  includes a table top  12  supported by a suitable supporting base including a plurality of legs  22 . In one arrangement, the base, including the legs  22 , is made of aluminum for lightness and strength. As can be seen in the figures, the bottom of the legs  22  include wheels  24  to enable the cooking table  10  to be wheeled to suitable locations for cooking, eating, and/or storage. Electric power is delivered to the cooking table  10  via power cord  29  for cooking and for height adjustment as is described hereinafter. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the table top  12  may be substantially planar. One part of the table top  12  includes a cooking device. The cooking device is preferably an HOB  42  and may be made from a glass ceramic surface for easy cleaning. In one embodiment, the HOB  42  is an induction HOB with three cooking zones  44   a,    44   b,  and  44   c.  The induction system is beneficial because it is a low-energy consumption system. Additionally, it minimizes heat retained on the surface which is beneficial should the user want to utilize the cooking table  10  for a surface for dining or serving shortly after cooking. However, alternative cooking devices may be used in lieu of the induction system. 
         [0018]    The table top  12  also includes a food warming zone  45  at the corner edge of the surface. This can be used to keep food at the right temperature after cooking. This warming zone  45  may be created by any low heat emitting device. For example, it could be formed by an electric heating system or it can be part of the induction based system. 
         [0019]    The table top  12  also includes a control interface region  48  with smart touch sensitive controls  49 . The controls  49  can be configured in any desirable arrangement to control the cooking areas  44   a,    44   b,  and  44   c  and the warming zone  45 . It is recognized that the controls  49  may be mapped within the region  48  to correspond to the configuration of the heating elements  44   a,    44   b,    44   c,  and  45  with respect to each other. The controls  49  may also be labeled with suitable indicia associating the controls  49  with the heating elements  44   a,    44   b,    44   c,  and  45 . 
         [0020]    The table top  12  further includes a tray or cutting board  50  on the side of the table opposite the HOB  42 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the cutting board  50  has an upper planar surface and is removable from the table  10 . The tray or cutting board  50  can be supported to be part of the table top  12  in any desirable way. For example, the cutting board  10  may sit inside and on a portion of a frame  20 . The supporting surface, not shown, for the cutting board  50  may extend across and span the entire area within the frame. This enables the user to place items on that surface with the cutting board removed. In one embodiment, the removable cutting board  50  is heat and/or bacteria resistant. Further, the removable cutting board  50  may be highly durable and may be made from a high-density polyethylene. 
         [0021]    In one arrangement, the table top  12  may be 900 mm (35.4 inches) long and 550 mm (21.7 inches) wide. However, it is recognized that the table top  12  may be of other dimensions and configurations. 
         [0022]    As is evident from  FIGS. 5-7 , the table  10  is of adjustable height so that the table top  12  can be moved to the desired height for food preparation, food cooking, and for eating regardless of whether the user chooses to eat on a couch, chair, or stool. In one arrangement, the table top  12  is adjustable in height between the range of first height (h 1 ) (shown in solid lines) of 550 mm (21.7 inches) to a second height (h 2 ) (shown in dashed lines) of 800 mm (31.5 inches). Accordingly, the table top  12  is vertically adjustable within a range of 250 mm (9.84 inches) to accommodate different cooking, eating, and serving activities and preferences and can be fully adjusted within that range. 
         [0023]    The vertical adjustability of the table top  12  can be provided by any desirable arrangement. In one arrangement, the table  10  includes jacks (not shown) integrated in the legs  22 . The jacks may be electrically operable. This arrangement is schematically shown in  FIG. 7 . In such an arrangement, the legs  22  include an upper portion  22   a  and a lower portion  22   b.  The lower portion  22   b  is telescopically movable relative to upper portion  22   a.  The jacks cause the effective height of the legs  22  to change, which also causes the height of the table top  12  to change relative to the supporting surface on which the wheels  24  rest. The height adjustability can be controlled by any suitable user-operable switch, such as a toggle switch, operative coupled to the jacks to raise the height of the table top  12 . In one arrangement, as schematically shown in  FIG. 8 , a switch  27  can be provided on the underside of the table top  12  to enable the user to adjust the height of the table and the switch  12  may be a toggle switch. 
         [0024]    As previously described, the table  10  is connected to an electronic power source by an external power cord  29 . More specifically, the power cord  29  may be coupled to one of the wheels  24  of the cooking table  10 . Such an arrangement is depicted in  FIGS. 9-10 . In this arrangement, the wheels  24  include a rotating portion  25   a  which can roll on a supporting surface, and a stationary portion  25   b.  As shown, there may also be a rotating portion  25   a  on the opposite side of the stationary portion  25   b.    
         [0025]    The end of the power cord  29  is coupled to a plug  28 . The plug  28  also includes coupling prongs  30 . The exterior of the wheels  24  includes a socket, not shown, with forgiving receptacles that substantially match the shape of the prongs  30 . Additionally, a portion the plug  28  is magnetic so as to create a magnetic coupling between the plug  28  and the wheel  24  in lieu of a friction fit coupling of a typical power connection. One advantage of the magnetic coupling between the plug  28  and the wheel  24  is that should a person accidently trip on or pull the wire  29 , the plug  28  will easily disconnect from the socket on the wheel  28 . This minimizes the possibility of disrupting cooking utensils on the HOB  42  that may be in the process of cooking. 
         [0026]    Additionally, when connected, a portion of each of the prongs  30  preferably fits in the stationary portion  25   b  of the wheel  24  but an extended portion fits into an aligned annular opening in the rotating part of the wheel  25   a.  This, prevents the rotation of the rotating portion  25   a  of the wheel  24  relative to the stationary portion  25   a,  and serves as a wheel lock to keep the cooking table  10  safe. 
         [0027]    Accordingly, the mobile cooking table  10  has dimensions, features, and/or characteristics that make it desirable in the interior environment. It is highly adaptive and mobile and becomes an extension of the dinner table, coffee table, desk, etc according to the situation. It also allows the user to cook and eat at the same place, alone or with guests. It also provided the user with more flexibility to eat what they want, when they want, and where they want. It also provided convenience and comfort to enjoy cooking for themselves or their guests. The induction HOB maintains little residual head after the cooking process, so the table top can quickly be converted from a cooking surface to a serving and/or eating surface. The height adjustability enables use of it as an eating surface when the user is sitting on the floor or a chair, and enables the user to use it while standing during food preparation. The power attachment coupling to a wheel provides additional benefits for use in living quarters. 
         [0028]    While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 2