US3828695A

US3828695A - Table apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3828695A
Application number: US00278794A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Skarky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-08-08
Filing date: 1972-08-08
Publication date: 1974-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-13

Abstract

An improved table apparatus for displayingly supporting predetermined objects, particularly useful for teaching patients personal oral hygiene while functioning as a consultation and decorator table, in one form; the table apparatus having a table top removably supporting a plurality of support modules; lids movably connected to the table top enclosing the support modules in a closed position thereof, the upper faces of the lids cooperating to form a portion of the upper surface of the table top in closed positions thereof; and a table base enclosing a utility storage area.

Description

rte States atent 1191 1111 3, Skarky Aug. 13, 1974- [54] TABLE APPARATUS 3,295,206 l/1967 Sharp et a1 312/209 x r 3,361,508 1/1968 Chassevent 312/223 [76] Inventor- F|Yd skafkyr 3431 Utah 3,532,221 10/1970 Kaluhiokalani et a1 [08/26 Oklahoma City, Okla. 73120 [22] Filed: Aug. 8, 1972 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Attorney, A em, or Firm-Dunla ,Lane Hessin, [21] Appl Nov: Dougherty' L Codding p [52] US. Cl 108/26, 108/33, 312/209, [57] ABSTRACT f 1312/223 A 51 1m. (:1. A47b 85/00, A47b 81/00 mpmved table apparatus for "lsplaymgly 58 Rd E S h 108 26 312 223 mg predetermined ObJGCtS, particularly useful for l l r 9 3 teaching patients personal oral hygiene while functioning as a consultation and decorator table, in one form; the table apparatus having a table top removably sup- [56] References cued zporting a plurality of support m0du1es;-lids movably UNITED STATES PATENTS connected to the table top enclosing the support mod- 2,654,650 1 10/1953 Stanton 108/25 X ules in a closed position thereof, the upper faces of the 2,733,1 10 1/1956 Berner et a1. 108/25 X lids cooperating to form'a portion ofthe upper surface 3,041,957 7/1962 Liptay 312/209 X of the table top in losed positions thereof; and a table 3,111,095 11/1963 Gooclman 108/26 base enclosing a utility storage area 3,156,510 11/1964 Hlndm et a1. 312/223 3,290 108 12/1956 Beckrnan et a1. 108/25 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEB we 1 3I974 SHEET 2 BF 2 TABLE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to table constructions and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a table apparatus supporting a plurality of support modules.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art In the past, various tables have been constructed for a variety of purposes. In some instances, tables have been constructed in a manner attempting to unite a particular utilitarian function with a predetermined decorator or ornamental purpose.

The problems generally relates to furniture design and construction have been particularly acute with respect to furniture designed for use in a dentists or doctors office where certain dental appliances, for example, are not readily supported in an esthetically appealing housing. Thus, it has generally been found that most furniture designed for the last mentioned applications either utilizes an expensive cabinet structure to surround or housingly encompass various dental appliances, and furniture of an ordinary office furniture construction in the office and reception area. This same general problem has also been encountered in other professional applications such as cosmetology, optometry and the like wherein it becomes necessary to have facilities available for use during consultations and for use while teaching the patient or client various skills or allowing the patient or client a sufficient individualized working area for sampling various products prior to purchasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Still another object of the invention is to provide a table apparatus for supporting various modules and the like which is economical in the construction and the operation thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the table apparatus of the present invention, showing two of the lids in an opened position providing access to the support modules thereunder and showing the view box pivoted to a position exposing the lightable viewing surface thereof.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view ofthe table apparatus ofthe present invention, taken substantially along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial perspective, partial diagrammatic view of one of the lids of the table apparatus of FIG. 1 in an opened position and showing the support module disposed thereunder.

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the table apparatus of FIG. 1; but, showing the lids in a closed position and the view box pivoted to a position wherein the side thereof, opposite the side having the lightable viewing surface formed thereon, is disposed in a generally coplanar relationship with the upper surface of the table apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the table apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modified lid and a modified support module utilizable in a table apparatus, similar to the table apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing another modified lid and another modified support module utilizable in a table apparatus, similar to the table apparatus of FIG. ll.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In many applications it has become desirable to teach a portion of a subject matter to individuals and to provide a learning environment maximizing the qualitative and quantatative amount of the subject matter transferred to the individual and retained by the individual. In some of these applications, the particular subject matter involves training the individual to operate, manipulate or utilize various objects, this type of training or teaching situation involving not only the transfer of knowledge from the observer-teacher to the individualstudent, but also involves the observance by the observer-teacher of the individual-student manipulating and operating the various objects to immediately correct any defective procedures prior to the forming of bad habits" and to assure that the individual-student has sufficiently mastered the particular learned skill. It has been found that, in some applications, a learning environment wherein a number of individual-students are simultaneously instructed in the particular skill enhances the qualitative and quantatative transfer of knowledge to the student while minimizing the observer-teacher time per student, noting that the group of individual-students should generally be relatively small in number.

Referring to one particular application of the present invention, for example, it has become desirable with the field of dentistry for the dentist to educate and instruct the patient in personal oral hygiene, or, in a more particular application, to instruct the patient in the manipulation, utilization and operation of various objects to control plaque build-up on the patients teeth. In this last-mentioned application, the dentist will generally first consult with the patient reviewing the present con dition of the patients teeth and gums, and then schedule training sessions for instructing the patient in proper oral hygiene or, more particularly, in the utilization of various objects to effect proper oral hygiene. The table apparatus of the present invention provides facilities for operating and functioning as a consultation table during the initial consultations between the dentist and the patient, and subsequently provides facilities for functioning and operating in the nature of a teaching table wherein one or more patients are instructed in oral hygiene and the utilization, operation and manipulation of various objects for effecting plaque control and the like, the table apparatus of the present invention also functioning as a decorator table" during those times when the table apparatus is not being utilized for consultation or instruction thereby minimizing the total equipment investment cost of the dentist and maximizing the operational benefits of the table apparatus, in a manner which will be made more apparent below.

Referring to the drawings in general, and to FIGS. 1 through 5 in particular, shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral is a table apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. The table apparatus 10 generally includes: a table top 12 having an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16; a plurality of support modules 18 for supporting some of the various objects utilized during one aspect of the operation of the table apparatus 10; a plurality of lids 20, each lid 20 being movably connected to a portion of the table top 12 for positioning in an opened and a closed position; and a table base 22 connected to a portion of the lower surface 16 of the table top 12 for supporting the table top 12 in a predetermined, elevated position. In one form, the table apparatus 10 also includes a view box assembly 24 movably supported in a central portion of the upper surface 14 of the table top 12, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The lids 20 and the view box assembly 24 are, in a preferred form, each movable to a position wherein a portion of each of the lids 20 and a portion of the view box assembly 24 cooperates with the upper surface 14 of the table top 12 to form a relatively flat surface, the table apparatus 10 being thus positionable to function as a decorator table or the like, in a manner to be made more apparent below.

The table top 12 has an outer periphery 26 and a plurality of sides 28, the table apparatus 10 including six sides 28 in the form of the invention shown in the drawings and as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 4. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the table top 12 includes an upper table member 30 and a lower table member 32, the upper table member being spaced a distance 34 from the lower table member 32 providing an open space 36 therebetween. More particularly, the upper table member 30 includes an upper surface 38 and a lower surface 40, and the lower table member 32 includes an upper surface 42 and a lower surface 44, the upper surface 38 of the upper table member 30 forming a portion of the upper surface 14 of the table top 12 and the lower surface 44 of the lower table member 32 forming a portion of the lower surface 16 of the table top 12, in an assembled position of the upper table member 30 and the lower table member 32.

A support member 46 is interposed between the upper table member 30 and the lower table member 32, the upper end of the support member 46 being, more particularly, connected to the lower surface 40 of the upper table member 30. The lower end of the support member 46 is connected to a portion of the upper surface 42 of the lower table member 32, the support member 46 thereby securedly supporting the upper table member 30 and the lower table member 32 in a predetermined spaced relationship, the distance 34 being, more particularly, the distance between the lower surface 40 of the upper table member 30 and the upper surface 42 of the lower table member 32, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. ln a preferred form, the support member 46 extends about the outer periphery 26 of the table top 12 forming an outer peripheral surface 48, the outer peripheral surface 48 formed via the support member 46 cooperating to form a portion of the outer periphery 26 of the table top 12. The upper table member 30 has an outer periphery 50 and the lower table member 32 has an outer periphery 52, the outer peripheral surface 48 of the support member 46 and the

outer peripheries

50 and 52 of the upper and the

lower table members

30 and 32 forming the outer periphery of the table top 12, as shown more clearly in FlGS. l, 2 and 5. A portion of the upper table member 30 generally near the outer periphery 50 thereof extends radially outwardly beyond the outer peripheral surface 48 formed by the support member 46 and a portion of the lower table member 32 generally near the outer periphery 52 thereof extends radially outwardly beyond the outer peripheral surface 48 of the support member 46, thereby forming a recess 54 in the outer periphery 26 of the table top 12, extending about the outer periphery thereof, for reasons which will be made more apparent below.

As shown more clearly in FIG 2, the table apparatus 10 also includes a plurality of supports 56, each of the supports 56 being interposed between the upper and the

lower table members

30 and 32. The supports 56 cooperate with the support member 46 to maintain the spaced relationship between the upper and the

lower table members

30 and 32 and, in a preferred form,

some of the supports 56 are interposed between the upper and the

lower table members

30 and 32 and are positioned to partially encompass a portion of the space 36 between the upper and the

lower table members

30 and 32 forming a plurality of module receiving openings 58 in the space 36, the module receiving openings 58 being spaced peripherally about the table top 12 and shaped to receive and support a portion of each of the support modules 18, in a manner to be described in greater detail below.

A plurality of lid openings 60 are formed in the upper surface 14 of the table top 12 and, more particularly, each of the lid openings 60 is formed through the upper surface 38 of the upper table member 30 or, in other words, each of the module receiving openings 58 extends through the upper table member 30 intersecting a portion of the upper surface 38 thereof, forming the lid openings 60 in the upper surface 14 of the table top 12. Each of the lid openings 60 is spaced peripherally about the table top 12 and each lid opening 60 is disposed and oriented to provide communication with one of the module receiving openings 58 formed between the upper and the

lower table members

30 and 32. In a preferred form, a portion of each of the lid openings 60 also intersects a portion of the outer periphery 26 of the table top 12, or, more particularly, a portion of the outer periphery 50 of the upper table member 30, one lid opening 60 and a cooperating module receiving opening 58 being formed generally near each side 26 of the table top 12, in a preferred form and for reasons which will be made more apparent below.

Each lid 20 includes an upper face 62 and a lower face 64, each lid 20 being disposed generally within one of the lid openings 60. One end of each lid 20 is movably connected to a portion'of the upper table member 30 formed via the lid opening 60 therethrough, each lid being, more particularly, hingedly connected to the upper table member for movement in a lid opening direction 66 and in a lid closing direction 68, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. Each lid 20 is sized to substantially encompass one of the lid openings formed in the upper table member 30 when the lid 20 has been moved in the closing direction 68 to a closed position, thereby minimizing the gaps between the sides'of each of the lids 20 and the adjacent surfaces of the upper table member 30 formed via the lid openings 60' therethrough.

Each lid 21) is sized such that a portion of each of the lower faces 64 engage a portion of the upper surface of the support member 46 when the lids 20 are moved in a lid closing direction 68, the support member 46 v thereby engaging a portion of the lower face 64 of each of the lids 20 to limit the movement of each of the lids 20 in a lid closing direction 68 and to support each lid 20 in a closed position. In the closed position, each lid 20 is disposed generally within one of the lid openings 60 formed through the upper surface 14 of the table top 12. The support member 46 and the lids 20 are sized such that the support member 46, more particularly, engagingly supports each lid 20 in a closed position wherein the upper'face 62 of each of the lids 20 lies in a plane substantially coplanar with the upper surface 38 of the upper table-member 30, the upper faces 62 of each of the lids 20 thereby-forming a portion of the upper surface 14 of the table top 12.

In a preferred form, each of the lids 20 is sized such that in a closed position of each of the lids 20 a portion of each of the lids 21) extends radially beyond the outer peripheral surface 48 formed by the support member 46 thereby providing a downwardly facing lifting surface 72 extending over a portion of the recess 54 formed in the outer periphery 26 of the table top 12. The lifting surface 72 of each of the lids 20 is engageable for raising each of the lids 20 in a lid opening direction 66 to an opened position thereof, and for lowering each lid 20 in a lid closing direction 68 to a closed position thereof, thereby eliminating the necessity of providing a handle .or other such gripping surface for opening and closing the lids 20.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3 each of the lids 20 includes a hinge arm having one-end pivotally connected to one side of one of the lids 20, the opposite end of each hinge arm 80 having a rollable friction type bearing 82 or the like connected thereto. Each bearing 82 is retainingly disposed within a channel 84 formed within one side portion of the table top 12 formed by the lid opening 60 therein. Thus, each lid 20 is hingedly connected to the table top 12 and openable to various predetermined positions, each lid 20 being supported, in a particular opened position via the friction engagement between the bearing 82 and the channel 84.

A mirror 86 is secured to a portion of the lower face 64 of each lid 28. Thus, each mirror 86 is adjustably positionable in various opened positions for utilization during one aspect of the operation of the table apparatus 10.

A cuspidor 90 is disposed and supported ,within a portion of each support module receiving opening 58, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. The form of cuspidor shown in the drawings, for example, is commercially available from such suppliers as Vacudent Industrial Center of Salt Lake City, Utah, and is generally utilized.

with a disposable paper cup disposed therein in a manner generally well-known in the art, although other forms of cuspidors are, of course, utilizable with the table apparatus of the present invention.

Each cuspidor 90 is connected to a vacuum source 92 via a hose 94, the vacuum source 92 being more particularly securedly connected to and supported within a portion of the table base 22,.as shown in FIG. 2. The vacuum source 92 can be of the type generally referred to as a dry system separator" commercially available from such suppliers as Dentsply International of York, Pa, for example, although other forms of vacuum sources are of course utilizable with the table apparatus of the present invention.

Each support module 18 includes a supporting surface 98 having a plurality of object receiving depressions 100 formed therein for supporting various .objects and articles of the support modules 18. More particularly, each support module 18 includes depression 102 formed in the supporting surface 98 for supporting an article or package 104 which, in one preferred form, contains a toothbrush, dental floss, disclosing wafers for checking the student-patients success at cleaning his teeth and similar articles'utilized to teach studentpatients oral hygiene, for example.

Each support module 18 includes a cup depression 106, formed in the supporting surface 98, in one preferred form, for supporting a disposable cup 108, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example. Each support module 18 also includes a light depression formed in the supporting surface 98 and a light source 112 disposed and supported within each light depression 110, each light source 112 preferably includes an adjustable neck portion so the student-patient can easily focus the light on selected portions of the student-patients teeth for observation in the mirror 86, for example.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, each support module 18 includes a slot 114 formed in a portion of the supporting surface 98, a portion of each of theslots 114 intersecting one side of the support modules 18. Each slot 114 is sized to receive a portion of one of the cuspidors 90, a portion of the supporting surface 98 generally near the slots 114 engaging and supporting the cuspidors 90, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

A lip 116 is formed about a portion of the outer periphery of each support module 18, each lip 116 extending a distance from one of the support modules 18. The lip 116 formed on each support module 18 is shaped and sized to engage a portion of the supports 56 and the support member 46 supporting each support module 18 in an assembled position within one of the module receiving openings 58. Thus, each support module 18 is removably supported within one of the module receiving openings 58 so that each support module 18 can be easily, quickly and conveniently supported in an assembled position in the table top 12 or removed therefrom during various aspects of the operation of the table apparatus 10.

An opening 120 is formed in a central portion of the table top 12 or, more particularly, the upper table member 30, the opening 120 intersecting the upper surface 14 of the table top 12 and communicating with the open space 36 between the upper and the

lower table members

30 and 32. A view box 122 is disposed within the opening 120 and pivotally supported and connected to the table top 12 to be pivoted to one position exposing a lightable viewing surface 124 formed thereon and to one other position positioning a side 126, formed on the side of the view box 122 opposite the side having the lightable viewing surface 124 formed thereon, in a plane generally coplanar with'the upper surface 14 of the table top 12, the side 126 thereby forming a portion of the upper surface 14 of the table top 12 in one pivoted position of the view box 122. The view box can include an X-ray type of viewer forming the lightable viewing surface 124, such X-ray type of viewers being commercially available from such suppliers as Zirc Company of Minneapolis, Minn., for example.

The view box 122 includes an on-of switch 128 for actuating the lightable viewing surface 124 during the operation of the table apparatus 10. In a preferred form, the side 126 is substantially the same size as the opening 120 thereby minimizing the gap 130 between the side 126 and the portion of the upper table member 30 formed by the opening 120 therethrough.

The view box 122 and the light source 112 are connected to an electrical outlet 134, via

cables

136 and 138, respectively. The electrical outlet 134 is disposed within a portion of the table base 22 and provides a common outlet for connecting the view box 122 and the light source 112 to an electrical power supply. In one form, the view box 122 and the light source 112 are each operated via a battery type power supply, thereby eliminating the necessity of providing

cables

136 and 138 and the outlet 134.

The space 36 between the upper and the

lower table members

30 and 32 provides a utility opening for accommodating various utility connections such as the

cables

136 and 138 and the hoses 94. The various utility connections are thus accommodated in a manner substantially eliminating the necessity of exposing such connecting members.

The table base 22 includes a pluralityof support legs 144, each support leg 144 being connected on one end to a portion of the lower surface 44 of the lower table member 32 and on the opposite ends thereof to the base member 146. In a preferred form, the support legs 144 each cooperatingly provide the support for the table apparatus supporting the table top 12 at a predetermined elevation.

A plurality of door panels 148 are secured to the support legs 144, the door panels 148 encompassing and enclosing a utility storage area or space 150. Some of the door panels 148 are hingedly connected to the support legs 144 via the hinge connections 152, the door panels 148 hingedly connected to the support legs 144 are movable to a closed position and in a opening direction 154 (shown in FIG. 5) to an opened position providing access to the utility storage area 150.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum source 92 and the outlet 134 are each, more particularly, connected to and supported by the support legs 144, and the vacuum source 92 and the outlet 134 are each disposed within the utility storage space 150. Thus, access is provided to the vacuum source 92 and the outlet 134 by moving one of the door panels 148 in the opening direction 154 for case of installation, service and replacement.

It should be noted that the support legs 144 and the base member 146 cooperatingly provide the structural support for the table top 12, and the door panels 148 encompass-the utility storage space 150; but, in a preferred form, do not provide any substantial supporting function. Therefore, each of the door panels 148 is sized and the table top 12 is spaced from the base member 146 such that a relatively small gap or clearance 156 between the upper end of the door panels 148 and the lower surface 16 of the table top 12 and between the lower ends of the door panels 148 and the base member 146 so the door panels 148 can be moved in the opening direction 154 in a relatively friction free manner.

Thus, when the lids are each moved to the closed position and the view box 122 is pivoted to the position wherein the side 126 is disposed in a coplanar relationship with the upper surface 14 of the table top 12, the table apparatus 10 functions in the nature of a decorator table providing the various functions normally associated with tables. When the table apparatus 10 is utilized in the particular application, mentioned before, the dentist pivots the view box 122 to a position exposing the lightable viewing surface 124 and displays the patients X-rays during the consultations with the patient to explain the condition of the patients teeth and the various steps which must be taken to place the patients teeth in a healthy condition.

At various times, one to six patients are scheduled to attend training sessions at the dentist's office to learn the various techniques to be utilized to maintain the patients teeth in a healthy condition,vand to observe the patients utilization and manipulations of the various objects or devices to be utilized by the patient in maintaining the teeth in a healthy condition. During the training sessions, each patient sits in front of one of the sides 28 of the table apparatus 10, and moves the lid 20 to the opened position providing access to the support module 18 supported thereunder. In this position, the mirror 86, the cuspidor 90, the cup 108 and the light source 112 are each available for utilization by the patient during the training sessions. Each support module 18 can be easily removed and replaced with a new or clean support module 18 after each use, the cuspidors being detached from the support modules 18 via the slots 114 as the support modules 18 are being removed from the support module receiving opening 58.

Embodiment of FIG. 6

Shown in FIG. 6 is a modified support module 18a associated with a modified lid 20a which can be utilized in the table apparatus 10, described before, in lieu of the support modules 18, the view box 122 being eliminatable in this applicational embodiment of the invention. The modified lid 20a is constructed similar to the lid 20; but, the lid 20a includes a modified mirror 86a secured to the lower face 64a thereof, and a pair of cosmetic lights 158, one cosmetic light 158 being disposed on each side of the mirror 86a.

The modified support module 18a includes a modified supporting surface 98a having modified object receiving depressions formed therein. This particular embodiment of the invention is particularly useful in cosmetology applications for displaying various cosmetics and training the student-customers in the utilization and application of the various cosmetics and cosmetic applying apparatus, for example.

Embodiment of FIG. 7

Shown in FIG. 7 is another modified support module 18h associated with a modified lid 20b, which can also be utilized in the table apparatus 10, described before, in lieu of the support modules 18b. The modified lid 20!) is constructed similar to the lid 20; but, the lid 20); includes a modified mirror 86b secured to the lower face 64b thereof, and a slide film viewer 162 secured to the lower face 64]) generally on one side of the mix"- ror 86b.

The slide film viewer 162 includes a view screen 164, a slide receiving opening 166 and an on-off switch 168. In the on position of the on-off switch 168 a light source (not shown) is lighted and slide films are inserted via the slide receiving opening 166 and viewable by the student-patient on the view screen 164, in a manner wellknown in the art. The particular slide film viewer 162 can be battery operated or connected to the outlet 134 in a manner described before with respect to the light sources 112.

The modified support module 1819 includes a modified supporting surface 98b having modified object receiving depressions 100!) formed therein. More particularly, the support module 18b includes a slide film view depression 170 formed in a portion of the modified light depression 100a, the slide film viewer depres sion 170 receiving and accommodating the slide film viewer 162 in a closed position of the lids 20. Thus, the support modules 18b will operate in a manner similar to the support modules 18, described before; but, also provide means for viewing various slide films which may be useful in some applications.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various parts or elements of the various embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A table apparatus for displayingly supporting pre determined objects in one position thereof, comprising:

a table top having an outer periphery, and upper surface, a lower surface and at least one module receivingopening formed in a portion of the table top, each module receiving opening extending a distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the table top and a portion of each module receiving opening intersecting a portion of the table top forming a lid opening in the table top;

at least one lid, each lid having an upper face and a lower face and each lid disposed within one module receiving opening in one position;

means having a portion connected to each lid and another portion connected to the table top movably connecting each lid to the table top for movement to an opened position providing access to one of the module receiving openings and to a closed position disposing the lid connected thereto within a portion of one of the lid openings;

means having a portion connected to the table top and another portion engageable with the lower face of one of the lids in a closed position of the lid, said means supporting each lid in a closedposition disposed within one of the module receiving openings;

at least one support module, each support module removably disposed within one of the module receiving openings and having a supporting surface formed thereon for receiving and supporting objects;

means having a portion connected to the table top and another portion engageable with a portion of each of the support modules, said means removably supporting each support module within one of the module receiving openings, the support surface of each support module being accessible via one of the lid openings in an opened position of the lid; and

support leg means having a portion connected to the lower surface of the table top supporting the table top in an elevated position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a recess is formed in a portion of the outer periphery of the table top; and wherein each lid opening intersects a portion of the outer periphery of the table top; and wherein the means supporting the lids in a closed position is defined further as supporting each lid in a closed position wherein the upper face of each lid is disposed in a plane substantially co-planar with the upper surface of the table top in a closed position of the lid and wherein a portion of each lid extends over a portion of the recess formed in the outer periphery of the table top providing a lifting surface engageable for moving the lids from a closed to an opened position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the table top is defined further to include:

an upper table member, having an upper surface forming the upper surface of the table top;

a lower table member, having a lower table surface forming the lower surface of the table top, the lower table member spaced a predetermined distance from the upper table member and disposed in a plane substantially co-planar with the planar disposition of the upper table member; and

a support member interposed between the upper and the lower table members and connected to the upper and the lower table members supporting the upper and the lower table members in a predetermined spaced relationship, the module receiving openings being formed in a portion of the space between the upper and the lower table members, the support member extending about the outer periphery of the table top;

a portion of the upper table member extending beyond the outer peripheral surface formed by the support member and the lid openings intersecting a portion of the outer periphery of the upper table member, the lids each extending a distance radially beyond the outer peripheral surface formed by the support member forming a lifting surface engageable for moving the lids from a closed to an opened position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include:

door panel means connected to the support leg means and enclosing a utility storage space, some of the door panel means being hingedly connected to the support leg means and movable to a closed position and to an opened position, access to the utility storage space being provided via some of the I door panel means in an opened position thereof;

cuspidor means disposed and supported within a portion of each support module receiving opening; and

vacuum source means disposed within the utility storage space; and

objects, a lip being formed about a portion of the outer periphery of and extending a distance from each support module, a portion of the lip engaging the means supporting the support modules in a supported position of the support modules within the module receiving openings.

Claims

1. A table apparatus for displayingly supporting predetermined objects in one position thereof, comprising: a table top having an outer periphery, and upper surface, a lower surface and at least one module receiving opening formed in a portion of the table top, each module receiving opening extending a distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the table top and a portion of each module receiving opening intersecting a portion of the table top forming a lid opening in the table top; at least one lid, each lid having an upper face and a lower face and each lid disposed within one module receiving opening in one position; means having a portion connected to each lid and another portion connected to the table top movably connecting each lid to the table top for movement to an opened position providing access to one of the module receiving openings and to a closed position disposing the lid connected thereto within a portion of one of the lid openings; means having a portion connected to the table top and another portion engageable with the lower face of one of the lids in a closed position of the lid, said means supporting each lid in a closed position disposed within one of the module receiving openings; at least one support module, each support module removably disposed within one of the module receiving openings and having a supporting surface formed thereon for receiving and supporting objects; means having a portion connected to the table top and another portion engageable with a portion of each of the support modules, said means removably supporting each support module within one of the module receiving openings, the support surface of each support module being accessible via one of the lid openings in an opened position of the lid; and support leg means having a portion connected to the lower surface of the table top supporting the table top in an elevated position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the table top is defined further to include: an upper table member, having an upper surface forming the upper surface of the table top; a lower table member, having a lower table surface forming the lower surface of the table top, the lower table member spaced a predetermined distance from the upper table member and disposed in a plane substantially co-planar with the planar disposition of the upper table member; and a support member interposed between the upper and the lower table members and connected to the upper and the lower table members supporting the upper and the lower table members in a predetermined spaced relationship, the module receiving openings being formed in a portion of the space between the upper and the lower table members, the support member extending about the outer periphery of the table top; a portion of the upper table member extending beyond the outer peripheral surface formed by the support member and the lid openings intersecting a portion of the outer periphery of the upper table member, the lids each extending a distance radially beyond the outer peripheral surface formed by the support member forming a lifting surface engageable for moving the lids from a closed to an opened position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include: door panel means connected to the support leg means and enclosing a utility storage space, some of the door panel means being hingedly connected to the support leg means and movable to a closed position and to an opened position, access to the utility storage space being provided via some of the door panel means in an opened position thereof; cuspidor means disposed and supported within a portion of each support module receiving opening; and vacuum source means disposed within the utility storage space; and means connecting each cuspidor means to the vacuum source means; and wherein each support module includes a portion receiving and supporting one of the cuspidor means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each support module includes object receiving depressions formed therein for receiving and supporting the predetermined objects, a lip being formed about a portion of the outer periphery of and extending a distance from each support module, a portion of the lip engaging the means supporting the support modules in a supported position of the support modules within the module receiving openings.