US20160183676A1

US20160183676A1 - Portable Table with Smartphone Device Pocket

Info

Publication number: US20160183676A1
Application number: US14/584,540
Authority: US
Inventors: John M. Limyansky; Kathleen A. Limyansky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-29
Filing date: 2014-12-29
Publication date: 2016-06-30

Abstract

A portable table designed to be used for outdoor activities such as sunbathing, picnics and other out-of-doors activities that provides a convenient pocket for the storage of a Smartphone device. The pocket is configured in such a way as to allow the Smartphone device to be situated in the pocket so that the device's owner has limited visual access to the device and the device is kept out of direct sunlight.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable table to be used outdoors while sunbathing on the beach or other out-of-doors activities with a pocket to accept a Smartphone device. Smartphone device screens are often hard to view in natural light settings including direct sunlight. Additionally, the screens on these devices are often damaged by direct or prolonged exposure to sunlight—especially on the beach. Further, a Smartphone device often displays caller information, e-mails and text messages on the screen of the device as these are received by the device. The present invention is directed to a pocket in a portable table which provides for orientation of the Smartphone device so that it can be conveniently stored, out of direct sunlight, and oriented in such a way that the Smartphone device's owner has limited access to the device so as to see or hear when the phone is ringing, signaling an incoming e-mail or receiving a text message.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Smartphones often provide people with their only means of communication when they are outside the home. As such, people seem to bring them everywhere that wireless coverage exists. This includes vacations, day trips to the beach or the woods, picnics, parades and other out-of-doors events. Smartphone devices provide access to the internet, e-mails, text messages and phone calls. As such, Smartphones connect people with a host of social media and shopping outlets wherever wireless access exists.
People sitting on the beach or attending an outdoor concert or parade often have to bring with them portable accommodations including chairs and small tables. At these type events, often, portable tables are set up next to lawn or beach chairs on which to place food, drinks and personal items including cell phones. These portable tables offer no convenient way to store a Smartphone device in such a way that it is not lying on the table in clear view of all in the immediate area or, alternatively, placed screen down on the table so that no one can see the screen and out of direct sunlight.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a portable outdoor table with a pocket designed to conveniently provide a resting place for this item which also provides a way of shielding the screen from people in the surrounding area and out of direct sunlight. It is a further object of the present invention to provide limited sensory access to the owner of the Smartphone device while resting in the pocket of the portable table.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A portable table used for outdoor events with a pocket in the table for a Smartphone device. The pocket in the portable table is configured so that the Smartphone device can be conveniently inserted into the pocket out of direct view of those in the surrounding area but sufficently exposed to allow the user to hear or see the phone when activated for incoming calls, e-mails, text messages or other notification. Additionally, the pocket is configured to provide shielding of the device's screen from direct sunlight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the portable table showing a Smartphone device and bottle inserted into the pocket and beverage cylinder, respectively, in the table.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the portable table showing a Smartphone device and a cup inserted into the pocket and beverage cylinder, respectively, in the table.

FIG. 3 is isometric view of the portable table showing a Smartphone device and a can inserted into the pocket and beverage cylinder, respectively, in the table.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the portable table showing a Smartphone device inserted into the pocket and an empty beverage cylinder in the table.

FIG. 5 is an assembly drawing of the portable table showing the table, stand member and beverage cylinder.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through FIG. 5 identified as A-A.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through FIG. 5 identified as B-B.

FIG. 8 is an assembly view of the bottom of the portable table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
The present invention is directed to a portable table with a pocket for the convenient storage of a Smartphone device. FIG 1. The portable table (1) contains a pocket (3) which is adapted so that a Smartphone device sits horizontally in the pocket as shown. FIG. 1. The portable table further provides a cylindrical holder (2) for the storage of beverages. FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. A detachable support member (4) is removably affixed to the portable table to act as a stand. FIG. 8.
The top portion of the table (1) can take the form of any geometric shape, including an oval, a circle or other artistic design, the size of the top portion of the portable table (1) should be such as to allow for ease of carrying. In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable table is a personal table to be used by a single user. Notwithstanding, top portions of varying dimensions and tables of diverse shapes could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The stand member (4) is removably affixed to the portable table by a press fit into a receiver pipe (5) on the underside the portable table. FIG. 8. Specifically, the outside diameter of the stand member (4) is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the receiver member (5) affixed to the bottom of the portable table. FIG. 8. In this way, the stand. member (4) can be inserted and removed as desired into the bottom of the portable table. FIG. 8. This provides the user with ease of assembly and disassembly when transporting the table.
The present portable table has a pocket (3) which is rectangular in cross section. FIGS. 5 and 6. In one embodiment of the present invention, this pocket is configured so that a standard Smartphone device horizontally situated can sit in the pocket (3) with only a portion of its screen visible. FIG. 6. The pocket width is such that the back of Smartphone device will lean back against the inner wall of the pocket so that the Smartphone device is at an angle with the inner wall of the pocket sufficient to allow its screen to be partially viewed by someone in close proximity to the pocket in which the device is placed; said angle also being shallow enough to shield the Smartphone device from direct sunlight and plain view. FIG. 7.
The present portable table also has a companion cylinder shaped insert (2) for use as a glass or bottle holder. FIG. 5. This cylindrical shaped insert is of such a size to accept a typical bottle or can. See, FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the embodiments just described merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. Many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A portable table comprising:

a. a planer surface having top and bottom faces;

b. the top and bottom faces being circumscribed by an edge having opposing surfaces;

c. at least one stand member attached to the bottom face of the planer surface capable of being anchored to an earthen surface;

d. an opening through the top face of the planer surface in communication with a slot that extends through the opposing surfaces of the edge defining a pocket wherein the pocket is of a size and shape adapted to receive a Smartphone device with a screen such that when the Smartphone device is received in the pocket, the height and depth of the pocket is sufficient to block direct sunlight from the screen of the Smartphone device and allow limited visual access to the screen of the Smartphone device;

e. an opening through the top face of the planar surface in communication with a slot that extends through the opposing surfaces of the edge defining a cylinder.

2. The portable table of claim 1, wherein the stand member is detachable from the portable table.

3. The portable table of claim 1, wherein the portable table and stand are made from molded plastic.

4. The portable table of claim 2, wherein the portable table and stand are made from molded plastic.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)