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Multipurpose portable tableMultipurpose portable table description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070001488, Multipurpose portable table. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1) Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to furniture in general, and more particularly to multipurpose portable tables, and table and chair sets. [0003] 2) Description of Related Art [0004] There are various characteristics that are important in the design and manufacture of an article of furniture. For example, many articles of furniture, aside from purely decorative articles, are designed to bear a certain load, such as the weight of a person sitting in a chair or the weight of items supported by a bookshelf. Other important characteristics include comfort, cost, convenience, and aesthetic appeal. The relative importance of these characteristics is often determined by the ultimate use of the article of furniture. For example, the most important characteristic in the design of an office chair is likely comfort, because an office chair is typically used for many hours a day. On the other hand, the most important characteristic in the design of an occasional table is likely aesthetic appeal. [0005] However, in the design portable furniture, such as folding tables and chairs, where such articles are used not used as often and are stored when not in use, convenience and cost are likely the most important design characteristics. This is not to say that the other characteristics are unimportant. For example, aesthetic appeal and comfort remain relevant design characteristics for portable furniture. However, the designs of many portable tables and table and chair sets appear to focus solely on cost, at the expense of convenience, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. As a result, although inexpensive, once set up, these tables, and table and chair sets are not particularly visually appealing. In fact, many portable tables, and table and chair sets require decorative fabric covers that cover the table tops and the chairs. Additionally, theses table and chair sets are not convenient for a single person to transport and assemble, often requiring a great deal of set up time. [0006] Therefore, there is a need for an improved multipurpose portable table, and table and chair set. The table should be portable, should provide for storage of folding chairs or the like, and should be relatively easy to transport and assemble. Additionally, the table and the table and chair set should be aesthetically appealing, relatively comfortable to use, and cost effective. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention achieves the above objectives and others by providing a multipurpose portable table, and table and chair set. The multipurpose portable table provides for storage of folding chairs or the like within its frame, and, using roller legs ends, may be easily transported by a single person. The multipurpose portable table may be used in a table and chair set that includes at least one folding chair. In some embodiments, the folding chairs may include fabric seat and back rest surfaces, and a table top may include a glass surface. As a result, the present invention also provides an aesthetically appealing, comfortable, and cost effective multipurpose portable table, and table and chair set. [0008] In one particular embodiment, the present invention provides a multipurpose portable table that comprises a table top and a frame that supports the table top. The table top comprises a substantially planar center portion and at least one substantially planar folding side portion. The center portion is in a generally horizontal orientation and has first and second ends, and opposite lateral sides. The at least one folding side portion is pivotally joined to one of the lateral sides so as to be pivotable between an unfolded position in which the folding side portion is in a generally horizontal orientation substantially aligned with the center portion, and a folded position in which the folding side portion is in a generally vertical position extending substantially perpendicular from the lateral side. The frame comprises a center frame, a bottom support, and at least one folding side frame. The center frame is attached to the center portion and has a first pair of legs extending substantially perpendicular from and adjacent the first end of the center portion, and a second pair of legs extending substantially perpendicular from and adjacent the second end of the center portion. The second pair of legs has roller leg ends. The bottom support is in a generally horizontal orientation and is attached to the first and second pairs of legs and located below the center portion. The at least one folding side frame is pivotally joined to the center portion and the bottom support and has at least one supplemental support leg. The folding side frame has an unfolded position in which the supplemental support leg is positioned away from the center frame so as to support the folding side portion in the unfolded position, and a folded position in which the supplemental support leg is adjacent the center frame and the folding side portion assumes the folded position. The center portion, the center frame, and the bottom support define a storage volume which is accessible through one of the pairs of legs and which is suitable for storing folding chairs or the like. [0009] In another embodiment, the multipurpose portable table further comprises a retaining bar attached between the second pair of legs, wherein the retaining bar is structured to retain a folding chair or the like within the storage volume when the multipurpose portable table is transported using the roller leg ends. Another embodiment further comprises a positionable handle attached between the first pair of legs. The positionable handle is structured to aid in transporting the multipurpose portable table using the roller leg ends. Another embodiment further comprises a table top surface constructed of a glass material. In another embodiment, the at least one folding side portion comprises first and second folding side portions, each folding side portion adjacent one of the lateral sides of the center portion, and wherein the at least one folding side frame comprises first and second folding side frames pivotally joined on opposite sides of the center frame, and wherein the first folding side frame has an unfolded position in which the supplemental support leg of the first folding side frame is positioned away from the center frame so as to support the first folding side portion in the unfolded position, and the second folding side frame has an unfolded position in which the supplemental support leg of the second folding side frame is positioned away from the center frame so as to support the second folding side portion in the unfolded position, and the first and second side frame portions have a folded position in which the supplemental support legs are adjacent the center frame and the folding side portions assume the folded positions. In another embodiment, when the first and second folding side portions are in the unfolded positions, the table top has a generally circular shape. In another embodiment, when the first and second folding side portions are in the unfolded positions, the table top has a generally rectangular shape. [0010] In another particular embodiment, the present invention provides a multipurpose portable table and chair set comprising at least one folding chair and a multipurpose portable table. The at least one folding chair includes seat and backrest portions attached to a frame. The folding chair has an unfolded position in which the frame supports the seat portion in a generally horizontal orientation and the back rest portion in a vertical or slightly reclined orientation, and a folded position in which the seat portion, the back rest portion, and the frame are overlapping. The multipurpose portable table comprises a table top and a frame that supports the table top. The table top comprises a substantially planar center portion and at least one substantially planar folding side portion. The center portion is in a generally horizontal orientation and has first and second ends, and opposite lateral sides. The at least one folding side portion is pivotally joined to one of the laterals sides so as to be pivotable between an unfolded position in which the folding side portion is in a generally horizontal orientation substantially aligned with the center portion, and a folded position in which the folding side portion is in a generally vertical position extending substantially perpendicular from the lateral side. The frame comprises a center frame, a bottom support, and at least one folding side frame. The center frame is attached to the center portion and has a first pair of legs extending substantially perpendicular from and adjacent the first end of the center portion, and a second pair of legs extending substantially perpendicular from and adjacent the second end of the center portion. The second pair of legs has roller leg ends. The bottom support is in a generally horizontal orientation and is attached to the first and second pairs of legs and below the center portion. The at least one folding side frame is pivotally joined to the center portion and the bottom support and has at least one supplemental support leg. The folding side frame has an unfolded position in which the supplemental support leg is positioned away from the center frame so as to support the folding side portion in the unfolded position, and a folded position in which the supplemental support leg is adjacent the center frame and the folding side portion assumes the folded position. When the folding chair is in the folded position, the folding chair may be turned on its side and stored within the center frame, supported by the bottom support and underneath the center portion. When the folding chair is stored within the center frame, and the folding side portion and the folding side frame are in the folded positions, the multipurpose portable table and chair set may be transported using the roller leg ends. [0011] In another embodiment, the multipurpose portable table and chair set further comprises a chair retaining bar attached between the second pair of legs, wherein the chair retaining bar is structured to retain the at least one folding chair within the frame of the multipurpose portable table when the multipurpose portable table and chair set is transported using the roller leg ends. Another embodiment further comprises a positionable handle attached between the first pair of legs, the positionable handle structured to aid in transporting the multipurpose portable table and chair set using the roller leg ends. In another embodiment, the at least one folding chair further comprises seat and back rest surfaces constructed of a fabric material. Another embodiment further comprises a table top surface constructed of a glass material. In another embodiment, the at least one folding side portion comprises first and second folding side portions, each folding side portion adjacent one of the lateral sides of the center portion, and wherein the at least one folding side frame comprises first and second folding side frames attached on opposite sides of the center frame, and wherein the first folding side frame has an unfolded position in which the supplemental support leg of the first folding side frame is positioned away from the center frame so as to support the first folding side portion in the unfolded position, and the second folding side frame has an unfolded position in which the supplemental support leg of the second folding side frame is positioned away from the center frame so as to support the second folding side portion in the unfolded position, and the first and second folding side frames have a folded position in which the supplemental support legs are adjacent the center frame and the folding side portions assume the folded position. In another embodiment, the multipurpose portable table and chair set includes four chairs. In another embodiment, when the first and second folding side portions are in the unfolded position, the table top has a generally circular shape. In another embodiment, when the first and second folding side portions are in the unfolded position, the table top has a generally rectangular shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) [0012] Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multipurpose portable table in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of a multipurpose portable table in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 3 is a rear view a multipurpose portable table in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 4 is a partial cross section view showing a folding side portion and a folding side frame of a multipurpose portable table in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 5 is perspective view of a multipurpose portable table and chair set showing a folding chair in an unfolded position, the multipurpose portable table in an unfolded position, and another folding chair in the folded position being stored within the center frame of the multipurpose portable table in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and [0018] FIG. 6 is a partial view of a multipurpose portable table and chair set showing stored chairs and the multipurpose portable table in a storage position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. [0020] The present invention relates to a multipurpose portable table and chair set 10, and a multipurpose portable table 12. FIGS. 1-3 show an unfolded multipurpose portable table 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In various embodiments, the multipurpose portable table 12 is configured to be used with at least one folding chair or the like (not shown in these figures, see FIGS. 5 and 6). In the depicted embodiment, the multipurpose portable table 12 is configured to be used with four folding chairs. In various embodiments, the multipurpose portable table 12 has a folded position and an unfolded position. As will be described in more detail below, the folded position allows the multipurpose portable table 12, along with an associated set of folding chairs, to be easily transported and stored in a relatively small area. As shown in the figure, the multipurpose portable table 12 generally includes a table top 14 and a frame 16 that supports the table top 14. In the unfolded position, the table top 14 of the depicted embodiment defines a generally circular shape. However it should be noted that in other embodiments, in the unfolded position, the table top 14 may define any other shape, including, but not limited to rectangular, elliptical, and half-circular shapes. Continue reading about Multipurpose portable table... Full patent description for Multipurpose portable table Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Multipurpose portable table patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Multipurpose portable table or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Rear window in a rear roof section of an openable roof vehicle Next Patent Application: Vehicle seat with thermal elements Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Multipurpose portable table patent info. 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