Abstract
A table dedicated to facilitating the comfort, efficacy, and enjoyment of assembling a jigsaw puzzle which may be adjusted for height, tabletop tilt angle and tabletop rotation, and location. The table has a specialized surface to hold the puzzle pieces in place, an accessory bracket to add accessories such as trays, puzzle box top holder, magnifying glass and other implements to enhance the assembly experience. Trays for sorting puzzle pieces may be attached and detached from a specialized bracket mounted on a support structure. The tabletop may be positioned high enough to be used while standing upright. The use of this table apparatus for other activities is anticipated.
Claims
1. A jigsaw puzzle table comprising; a tabletop having a rotation means, a tilt means, and a support means; wherein; the tabletop consists of a surface board having a flat surface and a surface cover adhesively attached to said surface board and having a frictional aspect which prevents puzzle pieces from sliding; the rotation means consisting of a swiveling mechanism centrally located and fixably attached to the underside of the tabletop such that table user may rotate the tabletop horizontally left or right, clockwise or counter-clockwise, as desired; the swiveling mechanism may be mounted to a sub-table member which facilitates the interface between the rotation means and the tilt means; the tilt means consists of a pivoting mechanism enabling the tabletop to tilt downward nearest the table user in graduated increments to a desired position; the pivoting mechanism is mounted to the underside of the rotation means or to the underside of the sub-table member; the pivoting mechanism pivots on a horizontal axis perpendicular to a line from the center of the tabletop to the user; the pivoting mechanism includes a control mechanism enabling the table user to secure the tabletop in the desired position; the support means is mounted to the underside of the pivoting mechanism and consists of at least one support column for supporting the tabletop relative to the floor; the at least one support column has a length-changeable adjustment mechanism installed therein and is attached to the pivoting mechanism; the adjustment mechanism has a control mechanism to change the length of the support column, thus adjusting the height of the tabletop from the floor; the control mechanism has an operation handle and connection means to enable the length-changeable adjustment mechanism to be changed, thus changing the height of the tabletop; the at least one support column is mounted to and supported by a base frame with at least three rolling mechanisms.
2. A jigsaw puzzle table as claimed in claim 1 wherein; the sub-table comprises a board member having two flat surfaces and sufficient thickness to provide structural stability for the tabletop; the board member provides structural stability to connect the rotation means with the tilt means; the board member has attachment means on its upper surface to enable the mounting of the rotation means and attachment means on its lower surface to enable the mounting of the tilt means; the board member is of sufficient dimensions to provide a mounting position for the control mechanism operation handle; the board member is of sufficient dimension and strength to provide a mounting position for an accessory bracket; the accessory bracket consists of a rigid surface with holes for the attachment of accessories desired by the puzzle assembler to enhance the putting together of the puzzle.
3. A jigsaw puzzle table comprising; a tabletop having a tilt means, and a support means; wherein; the tabletop consists of a surface board having a flat surface and a surface cover adhesively attached to said surface board and having a frictional aspect which prevents puzzle pieces from sliding; the tilt means consists of a pivoting mechanism enabling the tabletop to tilt downward nearest the table user in graduated increments to a desired position; the pivoting mechanism pivots on a horizontal axis perpendicular to a line from the center of the tabletop to the user; the pivoting mechanism includes a control mechanism enabling the table user to secure the tabletop in the desired position; the support means is mounted to the underside of the pivoting mechanism and consists of at least one support column for supporting the tabletop relative to the floor; the at least one support column has a length-changeable adjustment mechanism installed therein and is attached to the pivoting mechanism; the adjustment mechanism has a control mechanism to change the length of the support column, thus adjusting the height of the tabletop from the floor; the at least one support column can be extended to a length capable of supporting the tabletop to a height appropriate for the user to stand; the control mechanism has an operation handle and connection means to enable the length-changeable adjustment mechanism to be changed, thus changing the height of the tabletop; the at least one support column is mounted to and supported by a base frame with at least three rolling mechanisms.
4. A jigsaw puzzle tray and support apparatus comprising; at least one detachable tray member, a support member, and at least one compatible connecting member; wherein; the at least one detachable tray member has a flat bottom with four side members extending upward; the four side members having three side members extending upward at an angle approaching closely to or reaching vertical, and one side member extending upward at an angle approaching horizontal; the one side member extending upward at an angle approaching horizontal is configured such that the puzzle pieces stored in the tray may be easily slid out from the tray to the puzzling surface without having to pick up the pieces individually; the at least one detachable tray member is made of a material which is sufficiently flexible to bend slightly when being detached and reattached to the compatible connecting member; the material of the tray member may be paper, plastic, metal, or wood; the compatible connecting member is a bracket having a curved slot wide enough to slidably receive one of the three side members of the detachable tray; the curved slot is formed by a convexly curved back and a juxtaposed concavely curved flange front; the curved slot of the bracket is configured such that the center of the convexly curved back puts pressure on one surface of a detachable tray side member and the two outer edges of the flange put pressure on the opposite surface of the detachable tray side member, thus pinching the tray side member and holding the detachable tray in place without requiring a secondary movable holding mechanism to secure the detachable tray in place; the curved slot may have a secondary curve perpendicular to the plane of the original curved slot; the bracket further includes a bottom lip to ensure the detachable tray stays in place; the compatible connecting member bracket is capable of being combined into a multiple bracket unit to hold more than one detachable tray; the support member of the jigsaw puzzle tray and support apparatus mounts on the accessory bracket of the board member of the sub-table of the jigsaw puzzle table of claim 1; the support member may be flexible such that it can be modified to position the tray members in a horizontal position; the support member may be rigid such that the jigsaw puzzle tray apparatus stands stably on a horizontal surface without being attached to an accessory bracket.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the jigsaw table apparatus in a lowered position with the front of the tabletop tilted about 15 degrees downward from horizontal and rotated approximately 15 degrees clockwise from square on.
(2) FIG. 2 is a front view of the jigsaw table apparatus in a raised position with the tabletop tilted slightly downward in front.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of the adjustment mechanism housing of this invention.
(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the adjustable jigsaw table apparatus of this invention.
(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the jigsaw table apparatus showing the accessory bracket and the adjustable tray assembly attached thereto.
(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tray attachment bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(7) Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of the jigsaw puzzle table apparatus of this invention is shown with the tabletop 1 being tilted downward in front by fifteen degrees and rotated fifteen degrees counter-clockwise from a straight-on position. The height of the tabletop 1 from the floor is in a relatively low position appropriate for a user sitting in a normal height chair. This is a common arrangement of the features of this puzzle table apparatus as it provides for easy viewing of a large portion of a jigsaw puzzle and easy access to any portion of the puzzle by rotating the tabletop 1 in either direction, all while the assembler remains comfortably seated. The tabletop 1 can be adjusted to a higher or lower position by means of the adjustment mechanism housing 2 by raising the height adjustment control handle 10. The tabletop 1 can be adjusted to a different tilt angle by means of the tilt mechanism (visible in FIG. 3) using the tilt adjustment handle (visible is FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). The height adjustment control handle 10 and the tilt control handle (13 in FIG. 2) may be relocated to other places on the structural support assemblage 3 convenient for either the hands or feet. The tabletop 1 can be rotated by gripping the edge trim 9 and moving the tabletop left or right. The tabletop 1 may be allowed to rotate freely, or slowed with a frictional impediment, or it may be locked in a particular position by multiple types of locking mechanisms (not shown). The adjustment mechanism housing 2 is supported by the structural support assemblage 3 consisting of the outer or lower tube 4 which is slidably or telescopically connected to the inner or upper tube 5. A pneumatic cylinder (not shown) resides within the structural support assemblage 3 and provides upward force to raise the tabletop 1. When the height mechanism adjustment control handle 10 is lifted vertically and downward pressure is applied to the tabletop 1, it can be lowered. The base support assemblage 3 is connected to the bottom frame 6 which is supported on rolling mechanisms 7. The entire apparatus of this invention can be rolled into the desired position and the wheels or casters of the rolling mechanism 7 can be locked in place. A surface cover 8 is adhesively attached to the tabletop 1 to provide an appropriate surface for the intended use of the puzzle table apparatus. For the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle, a fabric or material that has a frictional property, such as felt, will hold the puzzle pieces in place even as the tabletop is tilted. Many other types of materials may be used which have an appropriate frictional aspect such that the puzzle pieces do not slide around or off the tabletop 1. An accessory bracket 17 attached to sub-table 20 may be provided to attach accessories such as trays for collecting puzzle pieces, or other implements as desired by the table user. A further embodiment (not shown) of the tilting and rotating tabletop of this jigsaw puzzle table apparatus may be configured without the structural support assembly 3 and base frame 6. This alternative embodiment may be independently placed on any type of table, countertop, desk, tripod, or podium and still fall within the scope of the adjustable tilting and rotating jigsaw puzzle table of this invention.
(8) Referring to FIG. 2, the jigsaw puzzle table is shown with the tabletop 1 tilted slightly downward in front while in a high or raised position relative to the floor, which is appropriate for a standing puzzle assembler. The adjustment mechanism housing 2 is supported by inner tube 5 within outer tube 4 of the base support assembly 3. The height adjustment control handle 10 and the tilt adjustment control handle 13 are actuated by lifting them vertically in this embodiment, but many other methods of controlling these adjustment mechanisms are possible, and may include other mechanical methods, electrical actuators, or remote controls. The position of these controls on the apparatus may also be relocated to other convenient locations.
(9) Referring to FIG. 3 the tilt mechanism assemblage is comprised of a toothed gear flange 11 and a correspondingly toothed locking bracket 12 which is connected within the adjustment mechanism housing 2 to the tilt adjustment control handle 13. When the tilt adjustment control handle 13 is lifted vertically, the toothed locking bracket 12 moves away from the toothed gear flange 11 which supports the tilt bracket 15. This allows the toothed gear bracket 11 to rotate around axis point 16 causing the tilt bracket 15 to move from one tilted position to another radially. The sub-table 20 consequently tilts along with the tilt bracket 15. Attached to the sub-table 20 is the rotational bearing 21 which attaches to and causes the tabletop 1 to move from one correspondingly tilted position to another.
(10) FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of the components that provide the combined adjustability of the tabletop 1, including the rotation means 21 which connects to the underside of a surface board 22 of the tabletop 1 and the upper side of the sub-table 20. The rotation means in this embodiment is a lazy-susan bearing, but other types of bearing or swivel configurations may be employed, as well as alternative rotational methods such as electric motors or other swiveling devices. The sub-table 20 is connected to the tilt bracket 15 which connects to the adjustment mechanism housing 2 by a toothed gear flange 11 and a support flange 14 which rotate around a pivot axis point 16. Many tilting mechanisms may be employed to accomplish this tilting function, such as an arching slot with locking bolt, pin, or wingnut, or an arching sequence of holes which may be pinned in place. These may be mechanically or electronically activated. One advantage of the preferred embodiment described is that it enables the tabletop 1 to move from a horizontal position easily and gradually to a vertical position, which provides efficient storage against a wall. Additionally, there are many alternative configurations for the tilt bracket 15 which connects to the sub-table 20, which itself may have many alternative shapes, sizes, and materials. The sub-table 20 may even be eliminated by combining the tilt mechanism and the rotation mechanism into one unit. There are also many alternative mechanisms for adjusting the height of the tabletop 1 other than the pneumatic cylinder (not shown) of this embodiment, such as manually lifting or lowering the table and locking it at the desired height with a threaded tightening screw mechanism or by a pin with graduated holes, both of which would hold the tabletop in a desired position, but which are more cumbersome for the user. Other mechanisms are possible and might include a motorized rack and pinion gear or a motorized gear and ratchet system. It may also be possible to provide more than one adjustable support column in multiple configurations. The surface cover 8 is adhesively attached to the surface board 22 to provide a frictional aspect to the tabletop 1. The surface board 22 may be made of wood or another wood-like rigid material. The trim 9 surrounding the surface board 22 may be made of wood, plastic, rubber, or metal and may extend above the surface cover 8 to keep puzzle pieces from sliding or falling off the table when it is tilted. It may also extend below the surface board 22 to provide a gripping means when rotating the table left or right. An accessory bracket 17 may be fixably attached to the sub-table 20 to provide a means to attach various accessories, such as sorting trays, to the jigsaw puzzle table to enhance the user's experience.
(11) FIG. 5 shows a detachable tray 25 and a support apparatus consisting of a specially configured bracket 26 and a support 27. Jigsaw puzzle assemblers frequently use trays to collect and categorize pieces for sub-assembly and organization. The tray apparatus support 27 may be attached to the accessory bracket 17 with a threaded shaft through an attachment hole 28 in the attachment bracket 17. The attachment bracket 26 is especially designed to interface with the shape of the edge of the tray 25 such that it can be attached and detached easily when the puzzle assembler wants to have access to the collected pieces. The tray(s) 25 may have variously configured edges with corresponding configurations of the attachment bracket 26. In this preferred embodiment, a back side 35 is made of thick paper with a flexibility such that it can slide into the slot created by bracket flange 30. The sides 36 of the tray 25 are tilted slightly outward at their tops to facilitate easy stacking, but the sides may also be vertical. The front side 37 of the tray is tilted further down so that puzzle pieces collected in the tray 25 can be easily slid out of the tray 25. This is particularly helpful in some or all of the puzzle pieces in the tray 25 have been attached together into a sub-assembly. The support 27 in this embodiment is flexible and adjustable and is known as a gooseneck arm, but many other support means could be used to support the attachment bracket 26 and trays 25, depending on the application of use for the detachable tray and bracket apparatus. Trays 25 may be made of metal, wood, cardboard, paper, plastic, or any other flexibly rigid material. As the tabletop tilt angle is adjusted, the position of the trays will have to compensate in order to keep the trays level. Additionally, individual puzzle assemblers will want to locate the trays in their preferred position. Thus, the support structure in this embodiment is flexible and adjustable. In a further embodiment of detachable trays and support apparatus (not shown) it may be used for other purposes in other applications in which the trays may be used to store and access parts, tools, materials, or other items as desired. Other types of accessories may be attached to the accessory bracket 17 in similar fashion.
(12) FIG. 6 shows the preferred embodiment of attachment bracket 26 which enable it to firmly hold the puzzle piece tray 25. Bracket 26 has an outer flange 30 and a curved face 31 creating a slot 32 where the tray back 35 slides into. The shape of the curving slot 32 enables pressure to be applied to the inner surface of the tray back 35 by the thicker ends 33 of the flange 30. Pressure on the outer surface of the tray back 35 is applied in the opposite direction by the curved face 31, thus holding the tray 25 in a pinched condition. As a further aid in securing the tray 25, a support lip 34 keeps the tray 25 from slipping down out of the slot 32. By holding the tray 25 by the tray back 35, it is quite easy to slide the tray 25 into and out of the bracket 26 with only one hand, without any interaction with other mechanisms or secondary operations.
(13) Another accessory which may be added to the tilting and rotating puzzle table is a storage cover (not shown) which may be securely placed over a partially completed puzzle to protect it from disturbance by people or pets, and to make it possible to secure a partially completed puzzle on the tabletop in a vertical position for temporary storage.
