Land vehicles – Wheeled – Body with bracketed-type or nonsuspended axles
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-16
2001-10-02
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Body with bracketed-type or nonsuspended axles
C280S047340, C280S035000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296262
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
(none)
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a cart for storing and moving a folding table. More particularly, the invention is a cart for storing and moving a folding table that requires only one person to position the table on the cart and that includes means for releasably securing the table on the cart.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Group meeting facilities, such as hotels, banquet halls, schools and churches, often utilize folding tables to provide horizontal surfaces for working and eating. In many instances, the folding tables are used only temporarily and it is desirable to store the tables when they are not in use. In other instances, it is desirable to move the folding tables from one location to another location within the facility. The folding tables are typically between about two feet and about three feet in width and between about six feet and about ten feet in length. Thus, two or more persons are needed to lay the folding table on its side so that one person can steady the table while the other person folds the legs inwardly to the fully closed position. Similarly, two or more persons are needed to then lift and carry the folding table to the storage area or to the new location, or to lift the table onto a movable cart. Furthermore, once the folding table is lifted and positioned on the cart, one person is needed to steady the table on the cart while the other person pushes or pulls the cart to the storage area or to the new location. Even with the folding table steadied by one person, existing table carts are cumbersome to maneuver because the center of gravity of the cart is near the floor while the center of gravity of the table is substantially higher. Thus, the center of gravity of the folding table produces a significant moment arm about the center of gravity of the cart. As a result, the folding table can easily fall off the cart if the table it is not secured to the cart, or can even tip the cart over if the table is not properly steadied on the cart.
A table dolly for storing and moving folding tables is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,219 issued Feb. 16, 1999 to Elliot. The Elliot table dolly includes a pair of oppositely inclined support members for supporting a plurality of generally planar tables that are stacked vertically in adjacent columns. The planar tables are inclined slightly relative to the horizontal to reduce the width of the table dolly and the stacked tables so that the table dolly and tables can pass through a normal sized doorway. At least two persons, however, are needed to lay the folding table on its side, fold the legs of the table inwardly to the fully closed position, and to lift and position the table on the inclined support members of the table dolly. Furthermore, the table dolly does not provide a means for securing the folding tables on the dolly. Still further, the table dolly is cumbersome to maneuver because the centers of gravity of the stacked folding tables produce significant moment arms about the center of gravity of the table dolly.
A furniture dolly for carrying generally flat furniture components, such as folding tables, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,695 issued Nov. 17, 1992 to Pakowsky. The Pakowsky dolly includes a main frame for supporting a flat furniture component in an upright, inclined orientation and a strap for securing the furniture component on the main frame. However, at least two persons are needed to lay the folding table on its side, fold the legs inwardly to the fully closed position and to lift and position the table on the furniture dolly in the upright, inclined orientation against the main frame. Still further, the furniture dolly is cumbersome to maneuver because the center of gravity of the inclined folding table produces a significant moment arm about the center of gravity of the furniture dolly.
Thus, it is apparent that there exists a need for a cart for storing and moving a table that requires only one person to position the table on the cart.
It is further apparent that there exists a need for a cart for storing and moving a folding table that includes means for releasably securing the table on the cart to thereby prevent the table from falling off the cart and to prevent the cart from tipping over.
It is still further apparent that there exists a need for a cart for storing and moving a folding table that is not cumbersome to maneuver.
SUMMARY OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to provide a cart for storing and moving a folding table that requires only one person to position the table on the cart.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cart for storing and moving a table that includes means for releasably securing the table on the cart to thereby prevent the table from falling off the cart and to prevent the cart from tipping over.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a cart for storing and moving a table that is not cumbersome to maneuver.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a cart for storing and moving one or more folding tables of the type often utilized in group meeting facilities, such as hotels, banquet halls, schools and churches, and commonly referred to as a banquet table. In the past, such carts have required at least two persons to lay the folding table on it side, to lift and position the table on the cart and to maneuver the cart to another location. The invention provides a cart for storing and moving a folding table that requires only one person to position the table on the cart. The invention further provides a cart for storing and moving a table that includes means for releasably securing the table on the cart to thereby prevent the table from falling off the cart and to prevent the cart from tipping over. Still further, the invention provides a cart for storing and moving a table that is not cumbersome to maneuver. In particular, the cart includes a horizontal table bed, a vertical table backrest affixed to and extending upwardly from the table bed and at least one latching arm for releasably securing the table on the cart.
The table bed includes at least one, and preferably, a pair of horizontal support members for receiving and supporting one of the opposed edges of the table. Each of the horizontal support members may be provided with a protective cap for protecting the opposed edges of the table. The horizontal support members are longitudinally spaced apart by at least one, and preferably, a pair of longitudinal frame members affixed to the horizontal support members. The table bed further includes a plurality of legs extending downwardly from the horizontal support members and a corresponding plurality of wheels rotatably attached to the legs. Each of the legs has a first end affixed to one of the horizontal support members and a second end opposite the first end and each of the wheels is rotatably attached to the second end of one of the plurality of legs. Leg extensions may be provided to increase the transverse distance between the wheels, and thereby increase the stability of the cart. At least one brake may be mounted on one of the plurality of wheels to insure that said cart does not move when the opposed edge of the table is received on the horizontal support members of the table bed. Most importantly, the horizontal support members of the table bed are located at a height that is sufficient to receive and support the opposed edge of the table when the table is tipped to an angle of at least about forty-five degrees relative to horizontal.
The vertical table backrest includes at least one, and preferably, a pair of vertical support members for receiving and supporting the top surface of the table. The vertical support members are affixed to and extend upwardly from the table bed. The vertical support members are longitudinally spaced apart by one of the longitudinal frame members of the table bed and by a corresponding longitudinal frame member affixed to the vertical support me
Dremann Christopher C.
Fischmann Bryan
Johnson Brian L.
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