Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Plural related horizontal surfaces – Detachable enlarging or substitute surface
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-31
2004-06-15
Chen, Jose V. (Department: 3637)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Plural related horizontal surfaces
Detachable enlarging or substitute surface
C024S459000, C150S158000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06748877
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention(s) relates generally to fabric-type covers for articles such as furniture pieces and semi-flexible panels such as may be used as room dividers or partitions; and more particularly, to accessories therefore. Specifically, the present invention(s) is directed toward anchors or stays for such article covers or panels.
2. Background of the Invention
Nondescript tables intended to be covered before use are well known in the entertainment, convention, and party industries. Typically, the underlying table is of a conventional design and without decorative features. The top of the table may be of any shape, but is typically either square, rectangular, round, or oval-shaped. A set of legs is attached to the underside of the table top. These legs are typically foldable into and out of a use configuration. The tables themselves are relatively unattractive and are almost always covered for use. In this manner, the cover may be selected such that the tables serve as a complement to the theme of an event.
Typically, conventional table covers have been simple drapes that are positioned over the table for uniform appearance. One problem with such designs is that no reference is provided to indicate when the draped table cover has been properly positioned. Therefore, the set up of such tables, especially when there is a large number, may be time-consuming. Each table must be visually inspected, typically from several different vantage points, to assure that each table looks right from all sides. Commonly, a conventional cloth table cover of inappropriate size will result in uneven overhangs. Further, such draped designs have long been in use and the entertainment, convention, and party industries desire new and novel appearances, as well as efficient designs for event accessories.
In home settings, the owner of furniture often times desires to change the appearance of the furniture simply and inexpensively. Examples include dining tables, coffee tables, end tables, and bedside tables. Tables of this nature may also be used in commercial settings, such as hotels, restaurants, and offices. Typically, the appearance of such furniture used in commercial settings is desired to be changed temporarily or permanently. As with private owners, commercial owners of furniture desire to make appearance changes simply, inexpensively, and interchangeably.
Typically, furniture covers have been draped over the furniture piece and held in position by their own weight, crude fastening devices such as screw-pins and even removable elastic straps are also familiar, but not very elegant commercial products. In the case of stretch furniture covers of the nature disclosed herein, the lower peripheries of the cover have commonly been secured by being tucked under the legs of the furniture piece being covered. This presents several problems, but the most obvious is that the weight of the furniture piece, plus any weight resting thereupon, is concentrated on the fabric cover at the points under the legs often causing holes and other unsightly wear-spots that limit the useful life of the cover unnecessarily early.
In view of the deficiencies described above associated with the use of conventional designs of furniture covers, the present invention(s) have been developed to alleviate these deficiencies and to provide further benefits to a user. These benefits are described in greater detail hereinbelow with respect to alternative embodiments of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, in the disclosed embodiments thereof, alleviates the deficiencies described above with respect to conventionally designed drape table covers and incorporates several additionally beneficial features. Among the benefits provided to a user are the simplicity and durability of the table cover of the present invention. Another benefit is the clean, sculpted appearance the table cover provides when installed upon a table. A further benefit attractive to the entertainment, convention, and party industries is the versatility and ease in appearance-adaptation of the table cover of the present invention.
Both the table cover body and the overlay table top cover of the fabric table cover assembly of the present invention are constructed to be substantially form-fitting about a conventional party table. Because the fabric from which the body and cover are constructed is typically a stretch material, the body and cover are stretched about the table and secured thereupon. The stretch nature of the fabric causes the body and cover to constrict about the table and partially conform thereto. The result is a curvaceous appearance that is unique, somewhat space-age in effect, and pleasing to the eye.
A lower periphery of the bottom of the table cover is secured at the feet of the table. Because of the elastic nature of the lower periphery of the table cover, upward-extending arches are formed between the legs of the table. This is a developed feature highly desirable to users of the table because these arched areas provide gap spaces between the table cover and the floor that accommodate the insertion of a user's feet under the table. The lack of such access for the user's feet in conventional table cover designs has long affected the level of comfort and usability of such conventional designs.
In a preferred embodiment, the table cover of the present invention is constructed to have a top portion and a bottom portion configured to cover the top portion and the legged portion of a table, respectively. The top portion of the table cover is preferably made of a light-colored material, but at least a portion of the top portion of the table cover contains a light-colored area. The bottom portion of the table cover may be made of any colored material. Typically, however, the bottom portion of the table cover is black because of that color's versatility and ability to blend in many event settings.
The table cover body, described above, may be used alone. However, in another preferred embodiment, an overlay table top cover may be used that is stretched over the top portion of the table cover body. Typically, this overlay table top cover will have a predetermined pattern, such as stripes, polka-dots, or an animal print, that may be used to customize the appearance of the tables being covered and accent the event in which the tables are being used. Because the overlay table top cover is also constructed of stretch material to enable its simple installation over the top portion of the table cover body and cause conformity thereto, it is relatively simple for the color of the top portion of the table cover body to bleed through any light portions of the overlay table top cover. For this reason, the top portion of the table cover body is preferably constructed from a light-colored material, and more preferably, a white material. Through the use of such a light-colored material, bleed-through is prevented and the colors of the overlay table top cover are made more vibrant by the light-colored backdrop of the top portion of the table cover body. Further, the top portion of the table cover body of the present invention may be constructed from polyester-cotton blend materials that act as a pad under the overlay table top cover, eliminating the need for a separate pad.
The construction of the table cover body and the overlay table top cover enable quick, simple, and uniform installation of a plurality of table cover assemblies on a plurality of tables. This is important to event planners as set up time is typically at a premium. The set up time for an event is non-revenue generating and, therefore, desired to be minimized. The construction of the table cover assembly of the present invention enables a single person to install the cover quickly and accurately by himself or herself without damaging the table cover. This one-person installation is accommodated by the construction of the table cover and its method of installation and attachment upon a table. Becaus
Chen José V.
Novak Druce LLP
LandOfFree
Securement arrangement does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Securement arrangement, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Securement arrangement will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3365603