CA2626653C - A convertible table for playing and dining and a cart used therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is a table convertible between playing configuration and dining configuration, including a rectangular frame, vertical legs at corners of the frame, slates within the frame defining a playing surface, a support assembly within the frame for supporting the slates, and a tabletop mountable to the frame for covering the playing surface in the dining configuration. The support assembly includes primary and secondary beams, to define an upper planar surface for supporting the slates. Also described is a cart for receiving flat rectangular pieces on edges, including a frame having two spaced-apart arms having a base member with an upward-facing edge and an upward member extending upward from the base member and having an inward-facing edge for laterally supporting the pieces and wheels allowing displacement thereof. The construction of the table and cart allow improved convertibility and supporting of rectangular pieces.

Description

2 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.

3 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

4 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.

4a Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the cart according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and a tabletop section.

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

6 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.

7 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

8 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.

9 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.

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,

11 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 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

12 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.

Claims (27)

Claims

1. A table convertible between a playing configuration and a dining configuration, the table comprising:
two pairs of opposed parallel frame beams defining a horizontal rectangular frame;
four vertical legs each having a ground-contacting end and an upper end for supporting the horizontal frame;
a plurality of slates positionable within the horizontal frame and defining an upper playing surface;
a support assembly mounted within the horizontal frame for supporting the plurality of slates, comprising a plurality of wooden primary beams extending across the frame and mounted to one pair of opposed parallel frame beams;
a plurality of metallic secondary beams mounted to the wooden primary beams and extending transversely thereto, the wooden primary and metallic secondary beams defining an upper planer surface for contacting and supporting the plurality of slates horizontally;
securing means for securing the slates to the metallic secondary beams;
a tabletop removably mountable to the frame beams for covering the upper playing surface in the dining configuration.

2. The table of claim 1, wherein the slates each have arcuate recesses for defining four corner pocket openings and two side pocket openings within the frame, so that the playing configuration is for billiards.

3. The table of claim 2, further comprising a rectangular rail cushion mountable atop and around the horizontal rectangular frame, and wherein the tabletop is removably mountable on the rail cushion.

4. The table of claim 3, further comprising a pocket lip bordering an outward part of each pocket opening, each lip extending above the rail cushion, and wherein the tabletop further comprises a downward-facing surface provided with a plurality of recesses each for fitting over a corresponding pocket lip.

5. The table of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising a cloth mountable on the plurality of slates to define the upper playing surface in the playing configuration.

6. The table of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tabletop comprises a plurality of distinct rectangular sections.

7. The table of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the plurality of slates comprises two end slates and a middle slate having similar dimensions.

8. The table of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the horizontal rectangular frame has a length and a width, the length being longer than the width, the wooden primary beams of the support assembly extending across the width and the metallic secondary beams extending across the length.

9. The table of any one of claims 1-8, wherein each primary support beam is composed of solid wood and is flat-shaped oriented vertically.

10.The table of any one of claims 1-9, wherein each primary support beam further comprises a plurality of upward-facing grooves along its length to receive and support the metallic secondary beams.

11. The table of claim 10, wherein each secondary beam is tubular with a wall provided with an aperture, the securing means comprising elongate connectors for connecting the slates to the metallic secondary beams via the apertures.

12. The table of claim 11, wherein the securing means further comprises anchor inserts for inserting within the metallic secondary beams, the elongate connectors being connectable to the anchor insert.

13. The table of claim 12, wherein the anchor inserts are wooden blocks and the elongate connectors are screws for screwing into the wooden blocks.

14. The table of any one of claims 1-13, further comprising support segments provided above and along the extremities of the primary support beams, the support segments each having an upward-facing horizontal surface co-planar with the upper planar surface of the primary and secondary support beams.

15. The table of any one of claims 1-14, wherein each primary beam has opposed side portions, each side portion having a downward-facing edge that slopes upward toward the corresponding frame beam.

16. The table of claim 15, wherein the downward-facing edge is straight.

17.A cart-and-table combination, the combination comprising a table according to claim 6 and a cart for receiving and supporting the rectangular sections on edges thereof, the cart comprising:
a cart frame having two opposed spaced-apart support arms and mounting means mounting the support arms in parallel relation to each other; each support arm comprising:
a base member having an upward-facing edge for supporting edges of the rectangular sections;
an upward member extending upward from the base member and having an inward-facing edge for laterally supporting the sections when the sections rest on the base member; and a plurality of ground-contacting wheels supporting the cart frame to allow displacement thereof.

18. The cart-and-table combination of claim 17, wherein the base member has a first end connected to the upward member and a second end extending away therefrom, the second end comprising an upward extending lip.

19.The cart-and-table combination of claim 18, wherein the mounting means comprise at least first and second elements, the first element connecting the first ends of the base members together and the second element connecting the second ends of the base members together.

20.The cart-and-table combination of claim 19, wherein the mounting means further comprises a third element connecting the upward members together.

21.The cart-and-table combination of claim 20, wherein the first, second and third elements each comprises a plank and fixing means fixing the plank to the support arms.

22.The cart-and-table combination of any one of claims 17-21, wherein the wheels are four castor wheels.

23.The cart-and-table combination of any one of claims 17-22, wherein the inward-facing edge has an outward angle relative to vertical and the upward-facing edge has an upward angle relative to horizontal.

24.The cart-and-table combination of claim 23, wherein the outward angle and the upward angle are perpendicular to each other.

25. The cart-and-table combination of claim 23 or 24, wherein the outward angle and the upward angle are from about 5 to about 15°in relation to vertical and horizontal respectively.

26. The cart-and-table combination of claim 25, wherein the outward angle and the upward angle are about 10°in relation to vertical and horizontal respectively.

27. The cart-and-table combination of any one of claims 17-26, wherein each support arm comprises a concave edge in between the inward-facing and upward-facing edges, to be sufficiently remote from the edges of the rectangular pieces when the pieces are supported on the base member and the upward member.