GB2466933A

GB2466933A - Tabletop

Info

Publication number: GB2466933A
Application number: GB0900441A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Crocker
Original assignee: BCE
Current assignee: BCE
Priority date: 2009-01-12
Filing date: 2009-01-12
Publication date: 2010-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-12
Also published as: GB2466933B; GB0900441D0

Abstract

A table 109 for playing table sports, such as pool, table football, air hockey and the like, has folding legs 118 and a friction reducing member, such as a roller or wheels 126 attached to the tabletop, so that the legs can be folded up and the table can be pulled smoothly along the ground on the friction reducing member.

Description

Tabletop

This invention relates to a tabletop. The invention is particularly useful in tabletops of the type attached to folding legs for stowage.

Tables having folding legs for stowage are commonly found in games tables, i.e. tables which have a tabletop specifically adapted for playing table sports, such as table tennis, air hockey, table football, or pool/snooker tables. Also known for playing such games are tabletops without legs which are placed on the tabletop of an existing table for use.

Tabletops attached to folding legs for stowage and tabletops without legs tend to be popular for playing table-sports/games because they are often used in places which serve more than one purpose and it is useful for them to be able to take a second configuration with a smaller footprint when they are stowed. Such dual purpose places include individuals' homes, in which they do not want the table to take up too much space except when in use, or sports halls where other sports take place in the same area as the table-sport at a different time, or in youth clubs, bars or public houses where the space occupied for table-sports may be used for concerts or the like at other times.

In view of this desire for tables which can be moved around, various proposals have been made and certain products have proven popular. Noteworthy prior art includes table tennis tables which have a tabletop comprising two parts which are joined at the middle where the net is placed and have a folding leg structure including legs having wheels on, set close to the middle of the table and four additional legs towards the ends of the tables which have higher-friction feet which will not slide along the floor so easily. These tables (exemplified by the Butterfly (TM) Nippon Rollaway) have an extended position for use where the tabletop is horizontal and the legs with higher-friction feet are in contact with the floor, and a collapsed position for stowage, in which the two halves of the tabletop are folded parallel with each other vertically and the additional legs are brought parallel with the two halves of the tabletop, so that the table has a much smaller footprint and only the legs with wheels on are in contact with the floor. In this collapsed position the table can be relatively easily moved to a storage area.

Other prior art of note includes pool tables having legs with wheels at their feet, the wheels being lockable in position to stop the table moving when used, but unlockable so the table can be moved out of the way to make space for other activities such as concerts. Although these tables have only one configuration and therefore have the same sized footprint when stored as they do in use, the fact that they can be moved is useful since in use they must be placed away from the walls of a room so that players can take shots from all sides, whereas when stowed they can be moved to the corner of a room.

Finally, a more recent table design is exemplified by European Registered Design No. 000802970-0002 by BCE (Distributors) Limited (TM) in which the tabletop is attached to two pairs of legs, one pair which are straight and fold parallel with the other pair being L-shaped. In this design, the tabletop pivots about the top of the L-shaped legs so that in use it is parallel with the horizontal part of the "L" and when folded it is parallel with the vertical part of the "L". The free end of the L-shaped legs has wheels thereon, so that when folded it can slide along the floor slightly more easily than it would without the wheels.

Each of these designs suffers certain disadvantages, for example the Butterfly (TM) table-tennis table is complex and therefore expensive to produce and unsuitable for tables where a uniform surface is required across the entire tabletop. Pool tables with wheels on the bottom of the legs take up no less space when stowed, and the locking mechanisms are liable to fail making the table either difficult to move, or liable to accidentally move when leaned on. The BCE (TM) design takes up a relatively large space when folded because of the L-shaped leg which must be deeper than the depth of the tabletop in order to be stable.

In its broadest sense, the present invention provides a tabletop having a friction-reducing member adapted to interact with the ground so as to aid manoeuvring of the tabletop when the tabletop is pulled along.

The tabletop according to the invention has numerous advantages, in particular, because the tabletop is provided with a friction-reducing member, instead of the friction reducing member being provided on the legs (where wheels have previously been placed to aid manoeuvring) the friction reducing member will not interact with the ground when the tabletop is in use (i.e. if it has no legs, in the state when it is placed on a table, or if it has legs, when they are extended). However, when the tabletop is being put away, it can be dragged along with the friction-reducing member interacting with the floor, rather than the corner of the table, or legs interacting with the floor and is therefore easy to move to a storage area, such as a cupboard.

Preferably the tabletop includes two long sides and two short sides and the friction-reducing member is located at one of the short sides.

Suitable friction reducing members are set out in claims 2-4, although the skilled man may be able to contemplate other suitable alternatives.

Preferably the tabletop is adapted for playing table-sports, such as snooker or the like, table-football or air-hockey since such tabletops are most likely to benefit from being simply moved in and out of storage.

Preferably the tabletop includes a handle to assist the user in tugging the tabletop to and from a storage area.

Preferably the tabletop is incorporated into a table according to claim 10.

Tabletops without legs must be relatively lightweight easy to move anyway since they are designed to be lifted on and off a table. On the other hand, tables according to the invention, including a set of legs can be made relatively heavy and still be moved to a storage area when not in use. Particularly in table football where players make relatively violent motions with the handles, and cue-sports such as snooker and pool where players lean on the table, a heavy table is preferable as it is less likely to move under such forces and balls on the table are less likely to be upset.

Preferably the legs are foldable between an extended position for use and a collapsed position for storage. Of course in the collapsed position the legs should be folded to a position where they will not interfere with the interaction between the friction reducing member and the floor.

More preferably, when the legs are folded into the collapsed position, the total length of the table is no longer than when the legs are extended. This means the collapsed table is reduced to a relatively small size and when stored vertically is only as tall as the table is long.

The invention may be understood more readily and various other aspects of the invention may become apparent from consideration of the following description, in which certain embodiments of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a first embodiment of a games table in constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows another side elevation of the first embodiment perpendicular to the elevation shown in figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the first embodiment in a collapsed state; Figure 5 shows a side elevation of the first embodiment in a collapsed state in motion; Figure 6 shows a side elevation of a second embodiment of a games table constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 shows a side elevation of the second embodiment perpendicular to the elevation shown in figure 6 Figure 8 shows a plan view of the second embodiment; Figure 9 shows a side elevation of the second embodiment, part collapsed, with the extended position as shown in figure 6 in paler lines; Figure 10 shows a side elevation of the second embodiment in a more collapsed state; Figure 11 shows a side elevation of the second embodiment completely collapsed; Figure 12 shows a side elevation of a third embodiment of a games table constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 13 shows a side elevation of the third embodiment perpendicular to the elevation shown in figure 12; and Figure 14 shows a side elevation of the third embodiment in a collapsed state.

Referring first to figures 1-3, a table 100 is shown, which in this case is a pool table and includes a rectangular tabletop 110, constructed in accordance with known methods adapted for playing pool and the like. The tabletop has two long sides 108 and two shorter sides (or ends) 106, includes pockets 112 for receiving balls (arranged in the traditional way, one at each of the four corners and one in the middle of each of the two longer sides), cushions 114 for the balls to bounce against, and a playing surface 116, on which the balls roll.

The table 100 also has four legs 118 attached near the four corners of the tabletop by pivots 120. The legs 120 are constructed as two pairs, one pair at each end 106 of the tabletop. Each of the legs 120 is foldable in that it rotates about its associated pivot, between an extended position as shown in figures 1-3 in which the length of the leg 120 is broadly perpendicular to the plane of the playing surface 116 of the tabletop 110, so as to space the tabletop 110 from the floor, and a collapsed position as shown in figures 4 and 5, in which the length of each leg 120 is broadly parallel with the plane of the playing surface of the tabletop. The legs 118 fold inward so that their feet 122 (i.e. the ends furthest from the pivot 120) are close to the middle pockets 112 of the table and the table 100 takes up less space. Each pair of legs 118 is connected by a brace 124, so that when one leg 118 of the pair is moved, the other leg 118 is moved in unison to aid folding.

The tabletop 110 is also provided with a friction-reducing member in the form of a roller 126, which is attached to one end 106 of the tabletop at the bottom edge. The roller 126 runs on an axle 128 which is attached to the tabletop by suitable fastening means. For example, the axle 128 can be in the form of a metal rod with threaded ends which can be inserted through an axial bore in the roller then bent into a U-shape so that the threaded ends are orthogonal to the axis of the roller. The threaded ends can then be partially inserted through holes in the end 106 of the tabletop and bolted to it via bolts (not shown).

At the opposite end 106 to the friction-reducing member there is an opening 130 in the side of the tabletop, which forms a handle which a user can grab.

In use, the table 100 is placed on a roughly horizontal surface, with the legs 118 in the extended position shown in figures 1-3. In this position, the table can be used for playing table-sports, in particular in this embodiment pool, snooker, billiards, and the like.

When a user finishes using the table 100 it can be collapsed for storage and stowed away. To collapse the table 100 it is laid on one of its longer sides 108 and the two pairs of legs 118 are folded inward into the collapsed position shown in figures 4 and 5. The pivots can be stiff enough that the pairs of legs 118 remain in this position, or they can be retained in place by suitable clips, ties or the like (not shown).

Once the table 100 is collapsed it is restored to a position with the playing surface 116 roughly parallel to the floor and then lifted by the handle formed by the opening 130 in one end 106, as shown in figure 5. In this position, the only part of the table in contact with the floor is the roller 126 and therefore it is much easier to pull the table along than if it was sliding on the bottom edge of the tabletop itself, which of course would produce more friction with the ground. Because friction is reduced, not only is it easier to move the table 100, but the table 100 is less likely to break due to strain caused by pulling it along.

The second embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 6-1 1 which illustrate a table 200 which is generally similar to the table 100 of figures 1-5, but with a more sophisticated folding leg system.

Referring first to figures 6-8, the table 200 is shown in an erect state. The table is a snooker table and includes a rectangular tabletop 210, constructed in accordance with known methods adapted for playing snooker and the like. The tabletop has two long sides 208 and two shorter sides (or ends) 206, includes pockets 212 for receiving balls (arranged in the traditional way, one at each of the four corners and one in the middle of each of the two longer sides), cushions 214 for the balls to bounce against, and a playing surface 216, on which the balls roll.

The tabletop 210 is also provided with a friction-reducing member in the form of a roller 226, which is attached to one end 206 of the tabletop at the bottom edge. The roller 226 runs on an axle 228 which is attached to the tabletop by suitable fastening means. For example, the axle 228 can be in the form of a metal rod with threaded ends which can be inserted through an axial bore in the roller then bent into a U-shape so that the threaded ends are orthogonal to the axis of the roller. The threaded ends can then be partially inserted through holes in the end 206 of the tabletop and bolted to it via bolts (not shown).

At the opposite end 206 to the friction-reducing member there is an opening 230 in the side of the tabletop, which forms a handle which a user can grab.

Turning to the folding leg system, the table has four legs 217, 218 which are again arranged in two pairs, one pair at each end of the table. The first pair of legs 217 at one end (left hand side in figures 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11) are connected to the tabletop 210 by a screw lock 220 which can be loosened by unscrewing to allow the legs 217 to pivot, or tightened to retain the legs 217 in position.

On the other hand, the other, second pair of legs 218 (shown on the right hand side in figures 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11) are attached to the tabletop via a pair of spring-locks 221 comprising spigots that extend through the side of the tabletop 210 into holes at the top of the legs 218 and can be released by pulling outwards against the spring action to allow the legs 218 to be detached from the tabletop 210. The feet of each of the legs 218 are attached by an pin 201 to one of two struts 219 which extend diagonally from the feet of each of the legs 218 to the screw locks 220. The pin 201 also connects the legs 218 to one another in order to keep a fixed distance between the second pair of legs 218.

The framework associated with the legs 217, 218 also comprises a support 202 which extends between the two struts 219 about half way down their length and is positioned on their lower side. The support 202 stabilises the framework by keeping a fixed distance between the struts and also acts as a retaining means to keep the second legs 218 in position when folded as shown in figures 10 and 11 and explained below.

The tabletop 201 according to the second embodiment also includes a pair of spring locks 203 located on each side of the table in a position so as to interact with holes 204 at the lower end of the first legs 217 that are attached via screw locks 220 and retain the legs 217 in position when they are folded. The second legs 218, also have additional holes 205 towards their lower end and the struts 219 have additional holes 206 which are so positioned that when they are folded parallel to the playing surface 216 of the tabletop 210 the spring lock 221 that normally hold the tops of the legs 218 can be used to retain the struts 219 and legs 218 in position.

In use, the table 200 is placed on a roughly horizontal surface, with the legs 217, 218 in the extended position shown in figures 6, 7 and 9 in which they are broadly perpendicular to the plane of the tabletop 210 in order to space it from the floor. In this position, the table can be used for playing table-sports, such as pool, snooker, billiards, and the like. When a user finishes using the table 200 it can be collapsed for storage and stowed away.

To collapse the table 200, the screw lock 220 is unlocked to allow the tabletop to rotate relative to the first legs 217 and struts 219 attached to it, then the second legs 218 are detached from the tabletop 210, by releasing the spring locks 221, and lifting the tabletop away from the legs 217. Once released, the second legs 217 are then rotated about the pin 201 towards the struts 219 to lie parallel and adjacent to them as illustrated in figure 9. In this position the legs 218 are in contact with the support 202 to prevent them from rotating too far. The free end of the tabletop 210 (previously attached to second legs 218 via the spring locks 221) is then lowered to the ground, by rotating it about the screw lock 220 so as to bring it parallel with the diagonally extending struts 219 as shown in figure 10. Finally the legs attached via the screw lock 220 are rotated inwards towards the tabletop 210 which is laid flat on the floor and the spring locks 203, 221 are engaged with the holes 204, 205, 206 in the legs 217, 218 and struts 219 as shown in figure 11 to secure them to the tabletop 210.

Once the table 200 is collapsed with the playing surface 216 roughly parallel to the floor it can be lifted by the handle formed by the opening 230 in one end 206, and pulled along the floor on the roller 226.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 12-14. The table 300 is fundamentally similar to that of the first embodiment, having a similar tabletop 310 and folding legs 322. However, the tabletop 310 according to the third embodiment has a first pair of wheels 326 as the friction reducing member, attached to one end 306 instead of a roller, to allow the table when collapsed to be pulled along with the end 306 on the floor in the direction of the length of the table 300 i.e. towards the opposite end of the

table 300.

The table 300 according to the third embodiment also has four additional second wheels 301 arranged as two pairs, one pair on each of the longer sides of the tabletop 310. The second wheels 301 are arranged such that when the table 300 is collapsed as shown in figure 14 and laid horizontal on the floor, it is supported on the four second wheels 301. The axis of rotation of the second wheels 301 attached to the longer sides is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of first wheels 326 attached to the shorter end 306

of the tabletop 310.

Therefore, it is possible to manoeuvre the tabletop 310 in a direction perpendicular to the direction when it is manoeuvred on the first wheels 326, i.e. it can be moved in the direction of its width. This is particularly useful if the table 300 is to be stored underneath another item of furniture, for example a bed, because the table 300 can be drawn up alongside a bed by pulling it in the direction of its length, then laid flat on the floor and pushed under the bed on the second wheels 301 attached to the long sides of the

tabletop.

The second wheels 301 sit lower than the first wheels 326 so that the first wheels 326 do not come into contact with the floor and resist the widthways motion on the second wheels 301.

Various alternatives and equivalents to the features set out in the specific description above may be contemplated by the skilled man, but certain specific alternatives include: the use of wheels on swivel mountings or ball castors which can rotate in any direction instead of rollers or wheels with a fixed axis of rotation to make it easier to turn the table/tabletop when pulling it; the use of different types of table, such as table-football, air-hockey or table tennis; alternative positioning of the friction reducing means, for example placing wheels in-line on a long side of the table so that it can be put on a side, legs folded and moved. Moreover, it will be understood that the friction reducing member need not be attached to an existing side of the tabletop, but could be attached to the underneath, for example by a suitable internal frame constructed on the underneath of the tabletop inward of the sides. This can help to avoid the friction reducing member interfering with folding legs.

Claims

Claims 1. A tabletop for table sports having a friction-reducing member adapted to interact with the ground so as to aid manoeuvring of the tabletop when the tabietop is pulled along.
2. A tabletop according to claim I wherein the tabletop includes two long sides and two short sides and the friction-reducing member is located at one of the short sides.
3. A tabletop according to claim I wherein the friction-reducing member comprises a roller.
4. A tabletop according to claim I wherein the friction-reducing member comprises a plurality of wheels.
5. A tabletop according to claim I wherein the friction-reducing member comprises a plurality of skids.
6. A tabletop according to claim 1 wherein the friction-reducing member comprises a plurality of swivel castors or ball castors.
7. A tabletop according to any of the preceding claims for playing snooker or the like.
8. A tabletop according to any of the preceding claims for playing table-football.
9. A tabletop according to any of the preceding claims for playing air-hockey.
10. A tabletop according to any one of the preceding claims having a handle for pulling the tabletop along.
II. A table comprising a tabletop according to any of the preceding claims and a set of legs.
12. A table according to claim 11 wherein the legs are removable.
13. A table according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the legs are foldable between an extended position for use and a collapsed position for storage.
14. A table according to claim 13 wherein when the legs are folded into the collapsed position, the total length of the table is no longer than when the legs are extended.
15. A table or tabletop according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of friction reducing members having different axes of rotation.
16. A table or tabletop according to claim 15 wherein the tabletop includes two long sides and two short sides; at least one friction-reducing member being located at one of the short sides and at least one friction reducing member being located on one of the long sides.
17. A table or tabletop according to claim 16 wherein the, or each friction reducing member located on the or each long side is set lower than the or each friction reducing member on the short side.

18 A tabletop substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19 A table substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 16 1. A tabletop for table sports having a plurality of friction-reducing members having different axes of rotation adapted to interact with the ground so as to aid manoeuvring of the tabletop when the tabletop is pulled along; wherein the tabletop includes two long sides and two short sides; at least one friction-reducing member being located at one of the short sides and at least one friction-reducing member being located at one of the long sides.2. A tabletop according to claim I wherein at least one friction-reducing member comprises a roller.3. A tabletop according to claim 1 wherein at least one friction-reducing member comprises a plurality of wheels.4. A tabletop according to claim 1 wherein at least one friction-reducing member comprises a plurality of skids.5. A tabletop according to claim 1 wherein at least one friction-reducing member comprises a plurality of swivel castors or ball castors. I..'6. A tabletop according to any of the preceding claims for playing snooker or *..I..* the like.S.'..' * S 7. A tabletop according to any of the preceding claims for playing table-football. S. SSS.....8. A tabletop according to any of the preceding claims for playing air-hockey.9. A tabletop according to any one of the preceding claims having a handle for pulling the tabletop along.10. A table comprising a tabletop according to any of the preceding claims and a set of legs.11. A table according to claim 10 wherein the legs are removable.12. A table according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the legs are foldable between an extended position for use and a collapsed position for storage.13. A table according to claim 12 wherein when the legs are folded into the collapsed position, the total length of the table is no longer than when the legs are extended.14. A table or tabletop according to any of the preceding claims wherein the or each friction-reducing member located on the or each long side is set lower than the or each friction-reducing member on the short side.15. A tabletop substantially as described herein with reference to the SI*** * * accompanying drawings.S... *. * S16. A table substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.*.....S S