US3062544A

US3062544A - Collapsible game table

Info

Publication number: US3062544A
Application number: US833202A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles W Viets
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-08-12
Filing date: 1959-08-12
Publication date: 1962-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 1979-11-06

Description

Nov. 6, 1962 c. w. vlETs coLLAPsIBLE GAME TABLE Filed Aug. 12, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

FlG- CHARLES w.v|ETs ATTORNEYS C. W. VIETS Nov. 6, 1962 COLLAPSIBLE GAME TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. l2, 1959 INVENToR.

CHARLES W. VIETS /WM /VM ATTORNEYS I l l l Nov. 6, 1962 c. w. vlETs coLLAPsIBLE GAME TABLE Filed Aug. 12, 1959 '4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG-I3 INVENTOR.

CHARLES w.v|ETs W7j ATTOR NEYS Nov. 6, 1962 c. w. VIETs coLLAPsIBLE GAME TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. l2, 1959 FIG- I4 IN V EN TOR.

CHARLES w. VIETS wtf/ W\\\ ATTORNEYS Stats This invention relates to game tables and in particular to foldable game tables.

Game tables such as table tennis tables have the marked disadvantages for many locations .of being too large and cumbersome. These tables are often made collapsible or foldable but heretofore the folding up of such a table was difficult and time consuming and even after the table was folded it would have to be moved to a storage location, all of which detracted substantially from the utility of the table.

Another drawback in connection wi-th conventional table tennis tables is that they are quite large, a regulation table being by 9' with there being required a substantial playing area beyond each end of the table. For this reason a great many homes could not accommodate standard table tennis tables.

Having the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of this invention is to provide a game table construction characterized in one respect that the table can be easily folded up into a minimum amount of space with the table when folded still being a unitary structure.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a game table structure in which substantially a regulation game of table tennis can be played but With the table only about half the length of a regulation table.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a collapsible game table having a rebounding board at one end so that both players can play from one end of the table or so that a single player can use the table as a .practice table.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a collapsible game table which can be placed against a wall and which when collapsed will fit closely against a wall and thus eliminating many of the problems of space requirements that are encountered with regulation size game tables.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of an arrangement for a collapsible game table in which a regulation sized table tennis table can be collapsed into small space in the for-rn of a unitary structure or in which the table can be about half the size of a regulation table tennis table.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view showing a game table according to my invention;

FIGURE 2 -is a vertical section through the table as indicated by line 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a view like FIGURE 2 but shows the table collapsed;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the support legs at the outer corners of the game table playing surface are hinged thereto;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the divider strip dividing the surface of the playing table is attached thereto;

FIGURE 5a is a detail showing the attachment of a lifting spring to the back edge of the table top;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective View drawn at enlarged scale showing in detail the construction of one side of the support frame for the game table;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view indicated by line 7-7 on FIGURE 6 showing the connection of one end of the table top with the supporting frame;

FIGURE 7a is a detail showing the attachment of the lifting spring to the frame of the table;

titi@ atent C FIGURE 8 is a perspective view showing a modified arrangement for attaching the rebounding board to the support frame;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the use of a soft material to form a dead surface at the bottom of the rebounding board and at the back of the playing surface of the game table;

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view partly broken away showing the manner in which a full size table can -be made collapsible according to the present invention;

yFIGURE ll is a vertical sectional view through the table of FIGURE l0 showing it collapsed;

FIGURE 12 is an end view showing the playing table of FIGURES 10 and 11;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary view taken at somewhat enlarged scale showing the inner ends of the two sides of the table `of FIGURES l() and ll and the manner in which they are connected with the support frame and also showing the net support;

FIGURE 14 is a View showing a modified arrangement ofthe game table;

FIGURE 15 is a view showing a modified arrangement of the game table wherein the table folds differently into the support frame; and

FIGURES 16 and 17 are views showing, rather diagrammatically, the different manners of supporting the support frame of the table.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, and particularly FIGURES l through 7, the novel game table according to my invention comprises a support frame 10 that has movably connected therewith a table top 12 forming a playing surface that has legs 14 attached thereto at the end opposite the connection of the playing table with support frame 10. Support frame 10 according to the lirst modification of this invention comprises an arcuate rebounding board 16 mounted in the support frame and there is provided at the base of the rebounding board the dead surface which may be provided by a strip of metal 18 loosely attached to the frame so that the playing ball does not rebound therefrom as it docs from the rebound board.

As will be seen in FIGURES Z and 3 the support frame 10 comprises vertical side members 22 interconnected by transverse rails, 24 at the top and 26 at the bottom. Another transverse member 28 extends between the side rails in the region of the bottom of the rebounding board 16 and serves additionally to strengthen the support frame structurally as well as to provide a point of attachment for the lower end of the rebounding board and also to provide a surface on which the metal strip 18 forming the dead surface at the bottom of the rebounding board is attached.

The rebounding board 16, which is preferably preformed, has its upper end attached to cross rail 24. At the bottom of the support frame attached to the outer faces of the vertical side rails 22 there may be the plates 30 forming a foot to give the support frame stability in the front and back direction. Gusset members 32 may be provided at the top and the bottom of the support frame to impart rigidity thereto.

According to this invention playing table 12 has its end adjacent the support frame provided with studs 34 that extend into slots 36 formed in the vertical side rails 22. These slots are formed to an inverted J at the upper ends so that the studs 34 can be positioned in the shorter legs of the inverted Js thereby to support the back end of the playing table at the proper level but whereby the studs can be moved over into the other side of the inverted J and will then be slidable down to the lower ends of the slots at 38 to permit collapsing of the game table.

At the other end of the game table which is at the left end as viewed in FIGURE 2, there are the support legs 4h connected with the stiifening rails 42 that extend along the sides of the game table by hinges 44. The collapsible brace members 46 are connected between legs 40 and the game table so that the legs can be selectively folded against the bottom of the table while the table is to be collapsed or latched in position where they extend vertically downwardly and support the playing table in a level condition as it is illustrated in FIGURE 2. To collapse the table, it is lifted upwardly to about a vertical position about the studs 34 as pivots, and the studs are then moved over into the longer legs of the slots 36 and the table will then move down into its FIGURE 3 position. The legs can then be folded against the bottom of the table. At this time member 4S attached to the vertical side rails 22 will hold the table portion substantially or completely within the confines of the vertical support fratrie. To open the table a cleat or hand grip which also stiffens the table top, attached to the underside of the table top may be availed of for lifting the table to bring the studs upwardly in the slots 36.

To assist in lifting the table top, and to cushion its descent, I prefer to attach springs to the table top and frame. These springs may be strips of a resilient material (natural rubber being preferred) and attached to the frame 1t) by clamp bars 51 as shown in FIGURE 7a, and to the rear cross member 53 of the table top .by a similar clamp bar 55 as seen in FIGURE 5a.

As will be observed in FIGURE 2, these springs also assist in positioning studs 34 in the short legs of slots 36 when the table is opened because they bend around the bottom edge of member 28 as -the table top approaches its open position.

The table top, however, is easily collapsed by pulling it forward against the bias of the springs to locate the studs 34 in the long legs of the slots 36.

As to the playing table itself, in the modification being described, it is desired for the table to be divided into two sides or courts and I accomplish this by attaching a metal molding 52 along the center line of the table by mounting the molding loosely `on the heads of screws 54. These screws preferably engage the transverse stiiening members beneath the table top. The ends of the molding are crimped down to retain the molding in place on the screws but still permitting the molding a small amount of freedom of movement of the screw heads. This provides for a permanent divider strip between the two courts but the strip at the same time forms a dead member from which the ball will rebound with an entirely different character than from the table, if at all, while the loose connection of the strip or molding on the screws will cause it to give out a distinct sound diiferent from the sound of the ball bouncing from the table so that it becomes immediately evident when a ball strikes the molding 52.

The rebounding board 16 has been illustrated as being supported on the

members

28 and 24. It will be evident that this member, particularly when preformed, could be mounted in slot means as at in the vertical side rail members 22 as illustrated in FIGURE 8. This would serve to preserve the shape of the rebound board against warpage and would likewise have the effect of reinforcing and stiffening the entire structure.

As is shown in FIGURE 9, the dead regions at the back of the playing board and at the base of the rebounding board could be provided by

strips

62 and 64 attached as by adhesive to member 28 and to the rear edge of the table top. The strips are soft material such as foamed plastic or rubber-like material or a soft felt which will inhibit rebounding of the ball.

The present invention is also adapted for use in connection with a conventional double ended ping pong table such as is illustrated in FIGURES l0 through 13 wherein frame 'Til comprises side rails 72 interconnected at the bottom by a base member 74 and having extending therebetween adjacent the top other rails 76. The insides of the side rails are provided with slots 78 which,

as in the case of the corresponding slots in the previous modification, may extend completely through the said rails if desired. These slots are engaged by pins 80 on the inner ends of the two portions 82 of the playing table. The outer ends of the two portions of the playing table are adapted for being supported on legs S4 connected with the playing table by hinges 86 and adapted for being latched in their open positions by the latches S8.

As will be seen in FIGURE 11, the table folds up in the same manner as the first described modification into a compact package so it can bestored in a small amount of space. The frame may be provided with wheels 99 and a handle 92 so that the table, when folded up, can readily be moved about.

With the double table of FIGURES l0 through 13, a net is required and this can be provided for by mounting the bracket means 94 on the upper ends of the side rails 72 and between which supports net 96 can be attached.

rIhe game table of the present invention is shown in somewhat modied form in FIGURE 14 wherein frame 16@ which corresponds generally to the previously described support frame has straight slots 162 formed therein with there being pins, studs, or bolts at one end of the table portion 166 extending through the slots. The table portion 166 has collapsible legs 168 at its outer end as previously described. The support frame also has the rebounding board also as previously described.

With the FIGURE 14 modication there is a trans verse member 112 extending between the side rails of the frame member at such a point that it will support the inner end of the table at the proper level thus permitting the slot 102 to be formed straight rather than to be curved in the previously described modifications. The member 112 could also be short projective at the sides of the frame.

FIGURE l5 shows still another modied arrangement wherein support frame 114 has its side members provided with slots 116 extending vertically upwardly from the inner end of the table 118 when it is supported horizontally. Brace members 120 connected between the side edges of the table and selected points on the side members of the frame permit the table to be folded into the frame by collapsing the legs 122 thereof and raising the inner end of the table upwardly while dropping the outer end of the table downwardly.

The FIGURE l5 modiiication has the advantage of presenting a finished surface when it is collapsed so that the table could even be built into a recess in a wall if so desired but has the disadvantage of being less easy to open and collapse because of the necessity of supporting the table top While opening and closing the legs.

FIGURE 16 shows one manner in which the table of the present invention could be mounted at against a wall 13). This could be accomplished by forming the support frame 132 flat along the back and then connecting it to wall as by hooks 134 or the like. A connection of this nature could also be made permanent if so desired, or the support frame could actually be recessed into the wall, particularly where the table folded as in the FIGURE 15 modification.

FIGURE 17 illustrates the manner in which a support frame could be provided with an expansible post 142 so that the frame could be fixed between iioor 144 and ceiling 146 in any desired position.

Use of the Table In using any of the tables of the present invention, the table is rst opened and a game can then be played using table tennis balls and paddles with one player for each of the two courts.

The ball may be served, for example by striking it from a bounce so it rebounds from' the rebound board into the other players court. If the ball falls into the other court it must be returned by driving it back against the rebound board and into the court where the serve originated. If the ball strikes a dead area so it does not rebound, or misses the rebound board, or falls outside the court into which it is being played, the player who struck the ball loses the point.

Any manner of scoring similar to regulation table tennis scoring may be used, or any modications in the scoring system to accommodate conditions or the players preference may be introduced.

A particular advantage of the rebound playing table of this invention is that it provides for realistic practice by a single player. Also, whether used by one or two players, the rebound table of the present invention provides excellent eye exercise because of the sharply changing course of the ball as it rebounds from the rebound board.

In the case of the rebound type table, the maximum space required to play is no more than half that required for a standard table tennis game, and in the case of all modications, the table can quickly and easily be collapsed into extremely small space.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions; and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible game table comprising; a support frame having vertical side rails in spaced relation interconnected top and bottom, a table top extending horizontally from the fr-ame, legs foldably connected to the end of the table opposite the frame, slots extending vertically along the side rails from adjacent the bottom to about the level oi the table top, each slot being in the form of an inverted J with the shorter leg toward the rear of the frame, stud means projecting from the sides of the table top at the frame end thereof slidably engaging said slots whereby when the stud means are disposed in the said shorter legs of said slots at the upper ends of the slots and the said llegs are lowered the table top is supported horizontal and when the stud means are disposed in the longer legs of the slots the table top can be folded into the frame, and the legs collapsed, resilient means connected between the top of the frame and the frame end of the table top to counterbalance the weight of the table top, and means operable to bias said table top toward the rear of the frame so the said stud means Will be urged into the shorter legs of the slots when the table top is moved into its horizontal position.

2. A collapsible game table comprising; a vertical support frame having spaced vertical side rails interconnected top and bottom, a table top extending horizontally from the front of the support frame, collapsible legs attached to the end of the table top opposite the support frame, slots extending vertically along the inside of said side rails, stud means on the other end of the table top engaging said slots for guided vertical movement of the said other end of the table top in the frame, each of said slots being in the form of an inverted J with the shorter leg at the upper end part of each slot providing for releasably supporting the frame end of the table top in its upper horizontal position, said frame extending above the said upper horizontal position of the table top, a transverse member extending between the backs of said side rails immediately above the table top, a rebound board extending laterally between said side rails having its lower end attached to said transverse member, and resilient straps connected between an upper part of the frame and the back edge of the table top to counterbalance the weight of the table top, the shorter legs of said slots at the upper ends of the slots being disposed toward the rear of the frame, and said straps bending about the lower edge of said transverse member as the back edge of the table top is raised in the slots so as to bias the table top toward the back of the frame and thereby pull the said stud means toward said shorter legs of the slots.

3. A collapsible game table comprising; a support frame having vertical side rails in spaced relation interconnected top and bottom, a table top extending horizontally from the frame, legs foldably connected to the end of the table opposite the frame, slots extending vertically along the side rails from adjacent the bottom to about the level of the table top, each slot being in the form of an inverted J with the shorter leg toward the rear of the frame, stud means projecting from the sides of the table top at the frame end thereof slidably engaging said slots whereby when the stud means are disposed in the said shorter legs of the said slots at the upper ends of the slots and the said legs are lowered the table top is supported horizontal and when the stud means are disposed in the longer legs of the slots the table top can be folded into the frame, and the legs collapsed, resilient means connected between the top of the frame and the frame end of the table top to counterbalance the weight of the table top, and means operable to bias said table top toward the rear of the frame so the said stud means will be urged into the shorter legs of the slots when the table top is moved into its horizontal position, and a rebound board extending laterally between said rails above the table top when horizontal, said rebound board being concave toward the table top.

4. A collapsible game table comprising: a support frame having ver-tical side rails in spaced relation interconnected top and bottom, la table top extending horizontally from the frame, legs foldably connected to the end of the table opposite the frame, slots extending vertically along the side rails from adjacent the bottom -to -about the level of the table top, each slot being in the form of an inverted J with the shorter leg toward the rear of the frame, stud means projecting from the sides of the table top at the frame end thereof slidably engaging said slots whereby when lthe stud means are disposed in the said shorter legs of the said slots at the upper ends of the slots and the said legs are lowered the table top is supported horizontal and when the stud means are disposed in `the longer legs of the slots the table top can -be folded into the frame, and the legs collapsed, resilient means connected between the top of the frame and the frame end of the table top to counterbalance the weight of the table top, and means operable to bias said table top toward the rear of the frame so the said stud means will be urged into the shorter legs of the slots when the table top is move-d into its horizontal position, and a rebound board extending laterally between said side rails above the table top when horizontal, said rebound board being concave toward the table top, and dead regions extending laterally at the bottom of the board and at the back of the table top, said dead reg-ions comprising strips of soft material which will inhibit rebounding of the ball.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 916,763 McKee Mar. 30, 1909 1,655,721 Agee Jan. 10, 1928 1,765,168 Laursen June 17, 1930 2,066,159 Post Dec. 29, 1936 2,174,884 Kachel Oct. 3, 1939 2,247,657 Girden July 1, 1941 2,333,098 Forsyth Nov. 2, 1943 2,592,839 Wessig Apr. 15, 1952 2,642,325 Hinsken June 16, 1953 2,739,860 Wilson Mar. 27, 1956 2,772,935 Read Dec. 4, 1956 2,781,194 'Sistrunk Feb. 12, 1957 2,913,294 Linde Nov. 17, 1959