US3567222A - Collapsible table tennis table - Google Patents

Abstract

A COLLAPSIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE IS DISCLOSED HAVING PIVOTABLE TABLE HALVES. ONE TABLE HALF MAY BE POSITIONED SO THAT IT ACTS AS A BACKBOARD WHEN PLAYING SOLO. REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS ARE PROVIDED BETWEEN THE TABLE TOP AND ITS FRAME SO AS TO ABSORB THE WEIGHT OF THE UPRIGHT TABLE HALF USED AS A BACKBOARD. WHEN COLLAPSED, IT MAY

BE WHEELED TO ANY DESIRED LOCATION FOR STORAGE. THE TABLE HALVES ARE CONSTRUCTED BY CONNECTING THE TABLE TOP TO ITS FRAME BY USE OF GLUE AND/OR SCREWS. THE TABLE TOP FRAMES ARE PREFERABLY RECTANGULAR ALUMINUM EXTRUSIONS.

Description

March 2, 1971 J, Roam 3,567,222

COLLAPSIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE Filed May 27, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR J E ROME ROB/IVS ATTORNEYS March 2, 1971 J. ROBINS 3,567,222

COLLAPSIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE Filed May 27, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet I A? /6 /4 m; a a a E nv VE/VTOI? JEROME ROB/IVS ATTORNEYS United States Patent O1 Rice 3,567,222 COLLAPSIBLE TABLE TENNIS TABLE Jerome Robins, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Wallace Products, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa. Filed May 27, 1968, Ser. No. 732,444 Int. Cl. A63b 61/00 11.3. Cl. 273-30 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A collapsible table tennis table is disclosed having pivotable table halves. One table half may be positioned so that it acts as a backboard when playing solo. Reinforcement brackets are provided between the table top and its frame so as to absorb the weight of the upright table half used as a backboard. When collapsed, it may be wheeled to any desired location for storage. The table halves are constructed by connecting the table top to its frame by use of glue and/ or screws. The table top frames are preferably rectangular aluminum extrusions.

A Wide variety of table tennis tables have been proposed heretofore. Some of the tables proposed heretofore provide a playback feature whereby one half may be positioned vertical with respect to the other half so as to facilitate playing solo. In such constructions, the mechanisms which facilitate the playback feature are complicated or do not lend themselves to being used on a collapsible table which can be wheeled to any desired location for storage. Other tables which have the collapsible and wheeling features do not provide for a playback feature. Other tables which provide for playback feature and are collapsible, are very expensive, complicated structure, and require a substantially greater amount of storage space than that required by the table of the present invention.

The table tennis tables of the present invention may be made from table tops of plywood, hard board, flake board, etc. The table tops are preferably provided with frames constructed of lightweight rectangular cross section extrusions of aluminum. The table tops are connected to the frames by use of epoxy resins and screws may be utilized to reinforce the construction. It has been found that the use of only screws to connect the table tops to the frame are inadequate because the table tops are not sufficiently thick to provide a good joint and the composition materials used in the cheaper boards result in the screws becoming loose in a very short period of time.

When one table top is positioned perpendicular to the other so as to have a playback feature, the entire weight of the upright table halves is placed on the portion of the frame along the mating edge. The table halves frequently have weights of 40 to 60 pounds. This amount of weight on the frame portion along the mating edge tends to warp the horizontally disposed table half or separate the frame from the table top along the mating edge. In order to circumvent this problem, the present invention includes the provision of reinforcement brackets having a portion overlying the table top along the mating edge.

Each table half is provided with a pair of legs mounted for pivotable movement about an axis parallel to the side edges of the table and thereby being perpendicular to the mating edges of the table halves. Wheel means is provided on each table half along the mating edge which becomes functionable only when the table halves are collapsed and in an upright position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible table tennis table which is light in weight, collapsible, portable, and has a playback feature.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible, portable table tennis table which has a play- 3,567,222 Patented Mar. 2, 1971 back feature and is structurally interrelated in a manner whereby the table can be made inexpensively.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel construction for table tennis tables which is simple, reliable, inexpensive, while being attractive and capable of having a playback feature.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the table tennis table in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table shown in FIG. 1 with one half in an upright position to facilitate the playback feature.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table shown in FIG. 1 but in a collapsed position so that it may be wheeled to a storage area.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the table as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 66 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the wheel means on a first half of the table tennis table.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the wheel means on the second half of the table tennis table.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a table tennis table in accordance with the present invention designated generally at 10.

The table tennis table 10 includes first and second halves pivotably connected together. The first half includes a table top 12 and the second half includes a table top 14. The table tops 12 and 14 may be made from plywood, hard board, flake board, and a variety of other materials. The table tops are preferably provided with a coating of glare-proof polyester paint so as to be abrasion-proof and prevent stains by various liquids which may be spilled thereon. The table tops 12 and 14 are pivotably connected together at their mating edges by hinges 16. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the hinges 16 are screwed to the frames which support the table tops 12 and 14.

Each of the frames for the table tops is identical. Hence, only the frame for table top 14 will be described in detail with corresponding primed numerals being provided for the corresponding frame components on table top 12. As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the table top 14 is provided with a frame having frame members 18, 20, 22 and 24. Each of the frame members are preferably of a rectangular configuration. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the frame members are rectangular or square extrusions of aluminum so as to be light in weight, rustproof, and attractive.

The table tops are joined to their frames by an epoxy resin. This adhesive bonding may be supplemented by screws. My experience has been that it is difticult to provide a lasting connection between the aluminum extrusions and the table top by use of screws when the table top is made from a composition material such as hard board or flake board. Hence, screws are used only to supplement the adhesive bonding and primarily perform the function of holding the frame members at the proper location with respect to the periphery of the table tops while the epoxy resin is drying.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 6, clamps 26 and 26' are provided. Each clamp includes a leg overlying a portion of the table top along the mating edges and a portion which is bolted or screwed to the frame member along the mating edges. Thus, clamp 26' overlies table top 12 and has a leg which is bolted to the frame member 22. Clamp 26' prevents the frame member 22 from separating with respect to the table top 12 when it supports the entire weight of table top 14 when the latter is in the position shown in FIG. 2. With the components in the position shown in FIG. 2 wherein table top 14 acts as a backboard, a person may play or practice table tennis by himself.

Each of the first and second halves of the table' is provided with a pair of legs. Each leg of each pair is mounted for pivotable movement about an axis perpen dicular to the mating edges from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3. The legs associated with the first half are designated 28 and 30. Legs 28 and 30 are identical. Hence, only leg 28 will be described in detail.

Leg 28 is an elongated preformed member having its free ends pivotably connected to the frame for table top 12. Leg 28 includes a vertical leg portion 32, a horizontal leg portion 34, an angled leg portion 36, and a vertical leg portion 38. Vertical leg portion 32 is positioned immediately adjacent the mating edge so that the weight of the upright half in FIG. 2 will be transmitted directly downwardly to the floor by leg portion 32. This eliminates any tendency for the table 10 to fall or tilt over when assembled in the position shown in FIG. 2. If leg portions 32 and 34 were connected together by an angled portion as shown at 36, the fulcrum for pivoting the table 10 when assembled as shown in FIG. 2 would be spaced too far away from a vertical plane containing table top 14 so that an accidental bumping of the table would cause the same to fall over backwards.

In order to facilitate collapsing of the legs, each of the legs is coupled to its associated frame by means of pivotably locking brackets which are of conventional construction and well known to those skilled in the art of table tennis tables. Hence, further details in that regard are not deemed necessary. The second table half includes legs 42 and 44 each pivotably coupled to the frame for table top 14. Legs 42 and 44 are identical. Hence, only leg 42 will be described in detail.

Leg 42 is an integral elongated member bent into a particular configuration with its free ends pivotably coupled to the frame for table top 14. Leg 42 includes a vertical portion 48 connected to an angle portion 50 which in turn is connected to one end of a horizontal portion 54.

The other end of the horizontal portion 54 is connected to I an angled portion 52 which in turn is connected to the vertical portion 48. The free end of portions 46 and 48 are pivotably connected to the frame for table top 14.

Brackets similar to brackets 40 are utilized for each of the legs 42 and 44. The legs 28, 30, 42 and 44 are preferably made from aluminum tubing of circular cross section so as to be lightweight, rustproof, and attractive.

Brackets 56 and 58 of L-shaped configuration are bolted to the frame member 22. See FIGS. 4 and 9. The brackets are preferably made from rectangular tubing identical to that used for the frame members. A castor 60 is bolted to the free end of each bracket. Each of the castors 60 pivots about an axis which is parallel to its table half. Hence, the castors 60 may roll on a surface when the table halves are collapsed and in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 3.

A C-shaped bracket 64 is bolted to the frame member 22' on the first half of the table 10. See FIGS. 7 and 8. Bracket 64 has its legs 66 and 68 positioned so as to be intermediate the locations of the brackets 56 and 58. See FIG. 4 and compare FIG. 8 with FIG. 9. A castor 70 is connected to the leg 66 and a castor 71 is connected to the leg 68. The castors 70 and 71 rotate about an axis parallel to the plane of the table top 12. Bracket 64 is :made from the same material as brackets 56 and 58. Re-

Cal

4 ferring to FIG. 7, the castors rotate about an axis which is spaced from their respective table tops by a distance of approximately 2 /2 to 3 inches. Thus, the entire width of the table tennis table for purposes of storage is no more than approximately 7 inches.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that a bracket arm 72 is provided on frame portion 24. A similar arm is provided on the other side of the table top 12. One end of arm 72 is permanently connected to the frame portion 24 by a pivotable joint at pin 74. The other end of arm 72 is releasably connected to the frame portion 24' by means of a nut 76 which is adapted to be threadedly coupled to hole 78.

When it is desired to use table top 14 for playing solo, arms 72 are pivoted to the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 after first releasing the connection between nut 76 and the hole 78. Thereafter, the nut 76 is threaded to hole 80 on the frame member 24. In this manner, the arms 72 maintain the table top 14 in an upright position and may be connected to the frame for table top 12 in a storage or inoperative position as shown in FIG. 1. The provision of threaded holes 78 and 80, only one of which is used at any given time, does not detract from the appearance of the table 10.

Arms 72 may have extra holes 73 which are selectively used with nut 76 to change the angle of inclination of top 14 with portion of top 12. Such changes of inclination result in the included angle being less than for increased speed of deflection and return.

In view of the above description, a detailed explanation of the operation of the table 10 is not deemed necessary. When two people are using the table 10, a net will be installed at the mating edges. When playing solo, table top 14 will be positioned as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and the arms 72 manipulated to retain the same in an upright position. When it is desired to store the table tennis table 10, it may be collapsed to the position shown in FIG. 3 and wheeled to any desired storage location.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the inven tion.

I claim:

1. A collapsible table tennis table comprising mating first and second halves hinged together, each half including a table top adhesively bonded to a frame of rectangular cross section, the first half having clamps on the frame and partially overlying the table top of the first half along the mating edge, wheel means supported by each frame along the mating edges for supporting the table tops in a collapsed upright position, a pair of collapsible legs on each frame, the collapsible legs on each frame being mounted for pivotable movement about an axis which is perpendicular to the mating edges, the legs on said first half including a vertical portion adjacent the mating edges, one end of each vertical leg portion being pivoted to the first half, and the other end of the vertical leg portion being connected directly to a horizontal portion which is perpendicular to the vertical portion so that when the second half is supported in a vertical position by the first half the first half will be supported by a floor at a location adjacent to a vertical plane containing the second half, and brackets on one of said halves for interconnecting the halves when the second half is in an upright position with respect to the first half.

2. A table tennis table in accordance with claim 1 wherein each frame is comprised of hollow rectangular aluminum tubing, said wheel means including brackets of hollow rectangular aluminum tubing connected to the frame members along the mating edges, and the free ends of said brackets supporting castors.

3. A table tennis table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wheel means includes spaced castors on the frame for said second half, spaced castors on the frame for said first half, the distance between the castors on the first half being less than the distance between the castors on the second half.

4. A table tennis table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned brackets are pivotably connected at one end to the first half, and the other end of said brackets being releasably interconnectable with the frame member on each of said halves.

5. A collapsible table tennis table comprising mating first and second halves, hinge means hinging said halves together along a mating edge, each of said halves including a table top secured to a frame of rectangular crosssection, a pair of collapsible legs mounted on each frame, said collapsible legs on each frame being mounted for pivotable movement about an axis which is perpendicular to said mating edges, the legs of said first half including a vertical portion adjacent said mating edges, one end of each vertical position being pivoted to said first half and the other end of said vertical leg portion being connected to a horizontal portion which is perpendicular to said vertical portion so that said first half will be supported by a floor at a location adjacent to a vertical plane defined by said second half when said second half is supported in a vertical position by said first half, bracket arm on one of said halves for releasably interconnecting the halves when said second half is in an upright position with respect to said first half, said bracket arms being disposed at an acute angle and extending upwardly with respect to said table top of said first half when said second half is in said upright position, and said second half includes means adapted to be releasably interconnected with the other end of said bracket arms only when said second half is in an upright position and supported by said first half.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,545,064 3/1951 Alch 108-112 2,643,926 6/1953 Pucci 108131 2,911,217 11/1959 Hirsch et a1 273--30 3,190,649 6/1965 Heisler 27330 OTHER REFERENCES Sears, Roebuck and Co., Christmas 1964, p. 318.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner T. BROWN, Assistant Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,557,222 Dated March 2, 1971 Inventor(s) Jerome Robins It is certified that error appears in the above-identified paten and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5 line 19 change "position" to -portion- Signed and sealed this 6th day of July 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLEE EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR.

Commissioner of Pat Attesting Officer FORM PO-IOSO 0'59! USCOMM-DC 6

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