Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A CONVERTIBLE TABLE FOR PLAYING AND DINING AND A CART USED
THEREWITH
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of playing tables, such as
billiards, pool
or snooker tables, and more particularly relates to a convertible table and
cart.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a variety of playing tables on which games such as billiards are
played.
The game of billiards, also known as pool, along with many variations thereof,
is
played on a surface of a table, which often has standard dimensions and
characteristics.
Billiards tables, for instance, are often quite large and heavy and, since the
game
requires movement of the player around the billiards table and use of a hand-
held
cue that extends beyond the periphery of the table, the game requires a room
with sufficient dimensions to accommodate playing. Players stand around the
table and often lean inward when taking shots.
Many individuals and groups enjoy the game of billiards, as well as other
table
games, yet do not have sufficient architectural space to accommodate both a
playing table and other types of tables in their building. For instance,
individuals
living in condominiums or other restricted architectural spaces, such as
apartments or small dwellings, may have to choose between owning a billiards
table and owning a dining table. Since billiards is a game that may be played
occasionally, individuals may tend to sacrifice owning a billiards table in
order to
own a different type of table instead, such as tables that may be used for
sifting
at in a chair.
There is presently a need in the industry for improved tables which can
overcome
at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention responds to the above-identified need by providing a
convertible table as well as a cart for holding flat rectangular pieces such
as
tabletop sections of such a convertible table.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a table convertible between a
playing
configuration and a dining configuration. The table includes two pairs of
opposed
parallel frame beams defining a horizontal rectangular frame. There are also
four
vertical legs each having a ground-contacting end and an upper end for
supporting the horizontal frame. The table also has a plurality of slates
positionable within the horizontal frame and defining an upper playing
surface.
The table further includes a support assembly mounted within the horizontal
frame for supporting the plurality of slates. The support assembly has a
plurality
of wooden primary beams extending across the frame and mounted to one pair
of opposed parallel frame beams, and a plurality of metallic secondary beams
mounted to the primary beams and extending transversely thereto. The primary
and secondary beams define an upper planer surface for contacting and
supporting the plurality of slates horizontally. Securing means are provided
for
securing the slates to the metallic secondary beams. There is also a tabletop
removably mountable to the frame beams for covering the upper playing surface
in the dining configuration.
The construction of the convertible table enables efficient adjustment between
playing and dining configurations.
The present invention also provides a cart-and-table combination. The cart-and-
table combination comprises a table convertible between a playing
configuration
and a dining configuration, as described herein, and a cart for receiving and
supporting flat rectangular pieces on edges thereof. The cart includes a frame
having two opposed spaced-apart support arms and mounting means mounting
the support arms in parallel relation to each other. Each support arm includes
a
base member having an upward-facing edge for supporting edges of the
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rectangular pieces. Each support arm also includes an upward member
extending upward from the base member and having an inward-facing edge for
laterally supporting the pieces when the pieces rest on the base member. The
cart also has a plurality of ground-contacting wheels supporting the frame to
allow displacement thereof.
The cart enables an efficient supporting of flat rectangular pieces, such as
tabletop sections from the convertible table, and may also decrease the amount
of wear or damage to the pieces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figures 1A to 11 are perspective top views of the convertible table of one
embodiment of the present invention, as it is progressively disassembled.
Figure 1A shows the table in the dining configuration and Figure 1C shows the
table in the playing configuration for billiards playing.
Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a corner of the table according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a close-up top perspective view of a bracket on one of the frame
beams of an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a top perspective view of part of the table according to an
embodiment of the present invention, showing the connection between a frame
beam, a primary beam and a slate.
Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the upper end of one leg and an
extremity of
a frame beam according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a top perspective view, showing the materials of the elements of
the
beams.
Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the opposite side of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a partial top perspective exploded schematic view of an embodiment
of part of the securing means for securing the slates to the secondary beams.
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Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the cart according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, and a tabletop section.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention pertains to a table that is convertible between two
configurations, the first being suitable for playing a game such as billiards
and the
second being suitable for a dinner table or the like. It should be understood
that
5 the table in "dining configuration" includes dining tables as well as
other non-
playing type tables such as work tables, conference tables, living room
tables,
kitchen tables and other domestic tables.
Referring to Figure 1A, the table 9 is shown in a dining configuration.
Referring to Figure IC, the table 9 is shown in a playing configuration.
Now referring to Figure 1F, the table 9 includes a rectangular frame 10
including
two pairs of opposed parallel frame beams 12, 14. Preferably, the first pair
of
frame beams 12 are longer than the second pair of frame beams 14, in order to
define the rectangular frame with dimensions of a standard playing table. The
playing table may be designed to be a standard sized billiards table. Of
course,
miniature billiards tables or other types of playing tables may also be
constructed
according to other embodiments of the present invention.
The table 9 also includes four vertical legs 16, each having a ground-
contacting
end 17 and an upper end 18 for supporting the rectangular frame 10.
Referring now to Figure 5, the upper end 18 of the vertical legs 16 is
preferably
provided with two lateral faces 20, 22 in transverse orientation to one
another.
The frame beam 12 is connectable to one of the corresponding lateral faces 22.
Of course, another frame beam (not shown here) is connectable to the other
lateral face 20. In such a way, the frame beams 12,14 are connected to the
vertical legs 16 so that the vertical legs 16 stand wide apart from one
another at
each corner of the table. This construction enables an increased amount of
space beneath the table to accommodate the legs of an individual sitting at
the
table in the dining configuration. It also provides an improved visual aspect
to the
table in the dining configuration, since most billiards tables have legs or
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supporting pillar arranged near the center of the playing surface and do not
look
like dining tables.
Referring to Figure 5, the frame beams and the legs are attached together by
pins 21 and threaded rods 23 and bolts 25. Washers 27 may also be used. A
variety of leg heights may be provided in order to satisfy the standard height
of
the playing surface or the standard height of dinner tables, for one of the
two
configurations to be privileged.
Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the legs 16 and frame beams 12, 14 are
preferably made of a core of wood or equivalent substance, which is coated
with
stainless steel. A coating of stainless steel is preferably provided for the
frame
and the legs. For instance, this improves the visual aspect of these
components.
Referring now to Figure 1D, the table also includes a plurality of slates 24A,
24B,
24C that are positioned within the rectangular frame. Preferably, there are
three
slates, two end slates 24A,24C and one middle slate 24B, but there may in some
embodiments be one or two. The slates have arcuate recesses 26 for defining
four corner pocket openings and two side pocket openings within the frame. The
slates are positionable within the rectangular frame to define an upper
playing
surface.
Referring now to Figure 1H, the table also includes a support assembly 28
arranged within the frame 10 for supporting the slates (not illustrated here).
The
support assembly 28 in Figure 1H, includes a plurality of primary beams 30
extending across the frame and mounted to a pair of opposed parallel frame
beams 12. The support assembly 28 also includes a plurality of secondary
beams 32 resting on the primary beams 30, and mounted to the other pair of
opposed parallel frame beams 14. The secondary beams 32 are transverse to
the primary beams 30, and preferably perpendicular thereto. The primary beams
and secondary beams 32 define an upper planar surface for contacting and
supporting the slates horizontally.
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In one preferred aspect of the table, the primary beams 30 of the support
assembly 28 extend across the width of the rectangular frame and the secondary
beams 32 extend across the length of the rectangular frame. Each primary beam
30 may be composed of solid wood, such as poplar, and is flat-shaped oriented
vertically, that is with its narrow edges facing up and down. This enables an
increased vertical strength provided by the primary support beams 30 to
support
the secondary beams 32. This also provides a vertical distance for the fixing
elements, such as screws, to be fixed within the primary beam 30 to secure the
slates thereto.
Referring now to Figure 11, preferably each primary beam 30 has a plurality of
upward-facing grooves 36, each groove 36 receiving and supporting a
corresponding secondary beam 32. Preferably, the secondary beams 32 are
tubular metallic beams that are insertable within the grooves 36 of the
primary
beams 30 and are flush with the upper surface of the primary beams 30 in order
to define the upper planar surface 34.
The primary support beams 30 are preferably installed beneath each of the two
joints of the slates and support the two or four secondary support beams 32.
The tubular steel secondary support beams 32 rest on bolted steel brackets 31,
which are shown in Figure 3.
Referring to Figure 1H, the primary beams 30 are composed of solid wood such
as poplar.
Referring to Figure 1E, the slates 24 are secured to the primary and secondary
beams 30 by inserting a screw through holes 37 in the slates and screwing into
the primary 30 and secondary 32 beams.
Referring to Figure 8, the table preferably further comprises securing means
for
securing the slates to the secondary beams 32. In one preferred aspect of the
securing means, each secondary beam 32 is tubular with a wall provided with an
aperture 39 and the securing means includes elongate connectors 41 for
connecting the slates to the secondary beams via the apertures 39. The
securing
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means preferably also includes anchor inserts 43 for inserting within the
tubular
secondary beams 32, the elongate connectors being connectable to the anchor
inserts 43. Preferably, the anchor inserts are wooden blocks and the elongate
connectors 41 are screws for screwing into the wooden blocks. Preferably, the
wooden blocks are made of poplar. Preferably, the blocks 43 completely plug
the
hollow space of the tubular secondary beams 32 and are permanently installed
in
each extremity of the secondary beams 32. The securing means enables the
slates to be secured relative to the secondary beams 32, allowing the
increased
support strength of the metal secondary beams 32 while enabling efficient,
cost-
effective and easy securing of the slates.
Since playing surfaces often require precision in the components, the support
assembly 28 enables the slates to be secured and supported with precision.
Referring to Figure 1D, the three sections 24A, 24B, 24C of the slate forming
the
playing surface for billiards preferably rest on the support assembly with
secondary beams 32 that are rectangular tubes of steel of 3 inches by 2 inches
by 1/4 inches. The number of secondary beams 32 that are installed may be
changed as a function of the weight of the slates and the size of the table.
Thus,
tables of 3 X 6, 3.5 X 7, and 4 X 8 feet have two tubular secondary beams 32
whereas tables that are 4.5 X 9 use four (as shown in Figures 1G).
Referring to Figure 11, the table also includes support segments 38. The
support
segments 38 are provided above and along the extremities of the primary
support
beams and each have an upward-facing horizontal surface co-planar with the
upper planar surface of the primary and secondary support beams. Preferably,
the segments 38 contact one of the frame beams 12 and define one side of one
of the grooves 36. The segments enable additional contact surface with the
slates (not shown here), thereby improving the precision of the billiards-
playing
surface. Preferably, the support segments 38 are integral with the primary
beams
via gluing or other means.
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In another preferred aspect of the table, the primary beam 30 has a central
portion 40 and two opposed side portions 42. Each side portion 42 has a
downward-facing edge that slopes upward toward the corresponding frame
beam. This advantageous shape provides more space under the table to
accommodate the legs of a person sitting at a chair when the table is in the
dining configuration. This improved accommodation is enabled without
sacrificing
the structural strength of the support assembly 28. Preferably, the downward-
facing edge is straight, but could also be curved.
Referring now to Figure 1B, the table 9 further comprises a rectangular rail
cushion 44 mounted atop and around the horizontal rectangular frame.
Referring to Figure 1C, the table 9 also includes a cloth 46 mounted on the
slates
to define a playing surface in the playing configuration.
Referring to Figure 1A, the table 9 also includes a tabletop 48 which
preferably
comprises a plurality of tabletop sections 49 as illustrated in Figures 1A and
1B.
Another example of a tabletop section, viewed from below, is illustrated in
Figure
9.
Referring back to Figures 1A and 1B, the tabletop sections 49 are removably
positionable in spaced relation above the cloth for covering the cloth and the
corner and side pockets (shown as 50 in Figure 1B) to enable the dining
configuration.
In one preferred aspect of the table, tabletop sections 49 is removable
mountable
on the rail cushion 44. Preferably, the tabletop 48 extends over the rail
cushion
44 to be substantially flush with the outer edge thereof. This enables the
rail
cushion 44 and all of the other playing aspects of the table of the playing
configuration to be hidden from view in order to have the desired visual
aspect in
the dining configuration, such as a dinner table.
Referring to Figure 2, the table also has pocket lips 53 bordering an outward
part
of each pocket opening 50, each lip 53 extending above the rail cushion 44.
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Referring to Figure 9, the tabletop sections 49 have a downward-facing surface
63B provided with a plurality of recesses 57 each for fitting over a
corresponding
pocket lip (53 in Figure 2). This enables an improved fit and hiding the
pockets in
the dining configuration. The tabletop sections 49 and the rail cushion 44 may
5 also have corresponding connecting elements (not shown) to be removably
secured together.
Referring to Figures 2 and 9, the downward-facing surface of the tabletop
sections may also have strips 55 made for instance of cork, which are applied
to
it in order to protect the top finish of the rails.
10 Referring to Figure 1B, the frame beams 12, 14, have a bottom edge 52
defining
a lower limit under which a person's legs can be suitably accommodated when
they are sitting in a chair at the table. Preferably, as shown in Figure 1H,
the
support assembly 28 is positioned around or above the lower limit. This
further
provides space under the table to accommodate a person's legs. This is also a
significant departure from traditional billiards table construction. Indeed,
the mass
and orientation of the primary 30 and secondary 32 support beams, along with
the surface area for contacting the slates, enables the table to be
convertible
from a billiards table to a dinner table in an efficient fashion.
Preferably, the top of the dinner table is composed of four or five sections
49 of
various dimensions according to the size of the billiards table. For example,
the
dimensions may be 3 X 6, 3.5 X 7, 4 X 8 or 4.5 X 9 feet.
The convertible table of the present invention may enable various advantages.
First of all, it may be converted from a billiards table to a dinner table or
other
type of table. Also, it may be primarily a dinner table since the pockets can
be
rendered invisible under the tabletop sections once installed in the dining
configuration. Furthermore, a user can select the height of the table
according to
the configuration to be prioritized, for instance a billiards table or a
dinner table.
In addition, using the construction of embodiments of the present invention,
there
can be increased space under the table for accommodating legs of a user. Also,
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by using a slate in three different sections, along with the construction of
the
support assembly, there - may be increased precision in billiards-playing
configuration, for example zero tolerance concerning deflection or moving of
the
slates secured to the support assembly.
In the billiards-playing configuration, each tabletop section 49 is preferably
arranged on a cart 54, illustrated in Figure 9, which can be easily displaced.
The
tabletop sections 49 will be generally referred to as "flat rectangular
pieces"
hereinbelow, as various different kinds of pieces may be placed on the cart
54.
Referring now to Figure 9, the cart 54 for receiving flat rectangular pieces
49
includes a frame 56 and wheels 57 mounted to the frame 56. Preferably, the
wheels are four castor wheels 56. The frame includes two opposed spaced-apart
support arms 58. Each arm 58 includes an upward member 60 having an inward-
facing edge 62 for contacting and laterally supporting the pieces. Preferably,
the
large flat surface 63 of the pieces are supported by the inward-facing edge
62.
The inward-facing surface 62 has an outward angle shown as a in Figure 9.
Each arm also includes a base member 64 extending from the upward member
60. The base member 64 has an upward-facing edge 66 for contacting and
supporting the edges of the flat rectangular pieces 49. Preferably, the upward-
facing edge 66 has an upward angle designated with 13 in Figure 9. The upward
angle 13 is preferably perpendicular with the angle a of the inward-facing
edge 62
of the upward member 60. With such a perpendicular relationship, the cart 54
is
able to receive the pieces 49 with an improved fit in order to avoid damage
and
facilitate stacking of the pieces 49.
Preferably, the base member 64 has a first end connected to the upward member
and a second end extending away therefrom, the second end including an
upwardly-extending lip 68. Preferably, the angles a and 13 are about 5-15'in
relation to vertical and horizontal respectively, vertical and horizontal
being
illustrated with dotted lines in Figure 9. Such angles enable the cart to
support
the pieces in a stable fashion while remaining relatively compact and
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unobtrusive. Preferably, the angles a and 3 are about 100 in relation to
vertical
and horizontal respectively.
Also preferably, each arm 58 of the cart 54 further includes a concave edge 70
in
between the inward-facing edge 62 and the upward-facing edge 66. The
concave edge is sufficiently remote from the edges of the rectangular pieces
when the pieces are supported on the base and upward members to not contact
or abut with the pieces sufficiently to cause the pieces to slip. Preferably,
there is
a space in between the concave edge and the edges of the pieces. The concave
edge 70 may enable improved stacking and non-slip abilities for the pieces.
Also,
when manufacturing the arms 58 of the cart 54, it is more efficient to machine
such a concave edge 70 in an exaggerated fashion. First of all, this
facilitates
subsequent sanding of the edge. Second of all, many machining tools have a
radius of curvature when cutting that would provide a curved intersection
between edges 62 and 66, if the surfaces were cut to intersect at a right
angle.
This curved intersection, not sufficiently remote from the edge of a piece
supported on the base member, would cause the piece to slip or slide, which is
to
be avoided.
Preferably, the upward member 60 extends upward to be able to contact the
piece length-wise. This length-wise stacking enables efficient use of space of
the
cart when being used or not, so that it may be unobtrusive.
Also preferably, the frame further includes mounting means for mounting the
arms to one another. Preferably, the mounting means include first and second
elements 72a,72b interconnecting the base members together. The mouting
means may also include a third element 74 mounted between the upward
members 60 to interconnect them. Preferably, the elements 72a,72b,74 are
planks that are mounted to the base or upward members using fixing means,
such as screws and/or pins.
The embodiments and examples are described and illustrated but should not
limit
what has actually been invented.
