Children's drawing table

Abstract

Described is a drawing table having a flat, rectangular surface disposed horizontally and having a pair of parallel elongated support members attached on opposing sides of the surface. Spindles are provided on opposing ends of the rectangular surface, and the spindles connect the pair of parallel elongated support members. A roll of paper can be suspended on a spindle and the paper can be stretched across the surface. The free end of the paper can be secured on the opposing side of the table by threading the paper through a slot that extends through the opposing spindle. The surface may further include a chalkboard thereon and one or more paper holders that maintain the position of the paper on the surface. Further, the drawing table includes legs that can be folded for storage, or unfolded so as to support the drawing table surface in a horizontal, elevated position.

Claims

1. A children's drawing table, comprising: a rectangular surface including a first end opposing a second end, the rectangular surface attached to a first elongated support member and a second elongated support member, the rectangular surface positioned evenly between the first and the second elongated members along a common plane; wherein the first and the second elongated support members extend horizontally along a longitudinal length of the rectangular surface; wherein the first and the second elongated support members are positioned parallel relative to one another and perpendicularly relative to the first end and the second end; wherein the first and the second elongated members extend beyond the first end and the second end; a first spindle rotatably coupled to the first and the second elongated members, the first spindle including an elongated pin having a flat disk with a diameter greater than a width of the first elongated member disposed at an end thereof, wherein the width is between an upper side and a lower side of the first elongated member, the flat disk of the first spindle configured to rotate the first spindle; wherein the first spindle is disposed adjacent to the first end and positioned parallel to the first end; a second spindle rotatably coupled to the first and the second elongated members, the second spindle including an elongated pin having a flat disk with a diameter greater than a width of the first elongated member disposed at an end thereof, wherein the width is between an upper side and a lower side of the first elongated member, the flat disk of the second spindle configured to rotate the second spindle; wherein the second spindle is disposed adjacent to the second end and positioned parallel to the second end; wherein the first spindle and the second spindle are disposed such that the flat disk on each spindle is proximal to the same elongated member; a first enclosed aperture inset from an edge of the first elongated member and a second enclosed aperture inset from an edge of the second elongated member, wherein each aperture is configured to receive a spindle therethrough; and a plurality of legs pivotally attached to the first and the second elongated members, wherein each leg has a width less than the width of the first elongated member, the plurality of legs configured to rotate inwardly along a longitudinal length of the first and the second elongated members.

2. The drawing table of claim 1, further comprising: a first slot extending along a length of the first spindle, the first slot extending radially inwardly through a diameter of the first spindle; and a second slot extending along a length of the second spindle, the second spindle extending radially inwardly through a diameter of the second spindle.

3. The drawing table of claim 1, further comprising: a first holder inset from an edge of the first end, the first holder extending linearly along a width of the rectangular surface between the first and the second elongated members and positioned parallel relative to the first spindle; and a second holder inset from an edge of the second end, the second holder extending vertically linearly along a width of the rectangular surface between the first and the second elongated members and positioned parallel relative to the second spindle.

4. The drawing table of claim 1, wherein the rectangular surface is composed of a chalkboard.

5. The drawing table of claim 1, wherein the first elongated support member and the second elongated support member each include a first end and a second end, each of the first and second ends of the elongated support members having an aperture disposed thereon, the apertures configured to receive a spindle therethrough, the apertures of the first ends of the elongated support members being aligned and the apertures of the second ends of the elongated support members being aligned, such that the first spindle can be inserted through the apertures of the first ends of the first and second elongated support members and the second spindle can be inserted through the apertures of the second ends of the first and second elongated support members.

6. The drawing table of claim 1, wherein the first elongated support member and the second elongated support member each include rounded ends.

7. The drawing table of claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs comprise a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, the first pair of legs pivotally attached to the first elongated support member, the second pair of legs pivotally attached to the second elongated support member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the children's drawing table of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the children's drawing table of the present invention with paper extended across the surface thereof.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of paper being fed through a spindle of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the children's drawing table of the present invention showing the manner in which the legs may be folded for storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the drawing table. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a surface on which a child can draw. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

(7) Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the children's drawing table of the present invention. The present invention comprises a flat, rectangular surface 12 on which a user can draw or write. The surface 12 may be composed of plastic, metal, wood or any other rigid, durable material. In some embodiments of the present invention, the surface 12 comprises a chalkboard surface such that a user can draw directly on the surface 12 using chalk. In this way, the user can use the table surface 12 as a drawing surface when the user does not have paper or other art supplies available.

(8) The surface 12 comprises a first end 17, a second end 18, a first side, and a second side that define the perimeter of the surface 12. The first and second ends 17,18 of the surface 12 are substantially parallel to one another, and the first and second sides are substantially parallel to one another. The surface 12 is attached on a first side to a first elongated support member 13 and attached on an opposing, second side to a second elongated support member 14. The first and second support members 13,14 are parallel to one another and extend along the length of the surface 12 and extend past the first and second ends 17,18 of the surface 12. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ends of the support members 13,14, which extend beyond the length of the surface 12 edges, are rounded ends so as to eliminate any sharp corners on the drawing table 11. Each end of each support 13,14 further comprises an aperture that is adapted to receive a portion of a spindle therethrough.

(9) A first spindle 15 is disposed adjacent to the first end 17 of the surface 12 and is substantially parallel thereto. Further, a second spindle 16 is disposed adjacent to the second end 18 of the surface 12 and is substantially parallel thereto. Each spindle 15,16 comprises an elongated pin with a flat disk disposed on one end thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elongated pin of the spindle 15,16 is substantially cylindrical. The elongated pin is inserted through an aperture on the first support 13 and is rotatably secured within an aperture on the second support 14, such that the spindles are adapted to rotate therein. The flat disk is sized so that it is unable to pass through said apertures, and the flat disk allows a user to rotate the elongated pin and thus the roll of paper thereon. The user can simply turn the flat disk in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to extend paper from the roll of paper. The flat disk may comprise a circular shape, or may have any of a variety of other shapes such as a square shape. A conventional roll of paper 19 comprising a central, cylindrical tube can be positioned on a spindle such that it is bounded on each end by the support members 13,14. In this way, the roll of paper 19 is secured on the spindle 15 and between the support members 13,14 such that the paper cannot fall off of the spindle 15. The roll of paper 19 is able to rotate thereon such that paper can easily be unrolled from the roll of paper 19.

(10) The present invention also comprises a plurality of legs 20 pivotally secured to the support members 13,14. In an unfolded configuration, the legs 20 support the surface 12 in an elevated, horizontal position so that a user can conveniently use the table surface 12 for drawing and other activities. In a folded configuration, the legs 20 are parallel to the support members 13,14 and are concealed thereby, allowing for easy storage of the drawing table 11. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a pair of legs 20 are pivotally secured to the first support member 13, and a second pair of legs 20 is pivotally secured to the second support member 14. In order to position the legs in the folded configuration, the legs 20 fold inward, towards a central portion of the drawing table 11. Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the legs 20 are sized such that the drawing table surface 12 can be used while a user seated on a floor. However, alternate embodiments of the drawing table are sized so that a child can use the table while seated in a chair.

(11) Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the drawing table of the present invention with paper extended across the surface thereof. With a roll of paper 19 positioned on a spindle, the paper 19 can be drawn across the surface 12 of the drawing table 11. The drawing table 11 comprises a first holder 23 comprising an elongated bar that is parallel to the table and is spaced therefrom. The first holder 23 is secured to the edges of the surface 12 or to the support members 13,14, such that a piece of paper 19 can be threaded between the first holder 23 and the table surface 12. The first holder 23 helps to position the paper 19 against the table surface 12 so as to maintain the paper 19 close to the table surface 12 and to prevent the paper 19 from moving thereon. The user can pull the leading edge 24 of the paper across the surface 12 and underneath a second holder 23 positioned on the opposing end of the surface 12. One or more holders 23 may be positioned on the surface 12 of the drawing table 11. Preferably, the holders 23 are positioned on opposing ends of the drawing table 11 so that the holders 23 do not interfere with the central area of the drawing table 11 where a user is likely to draw.

(12) Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a close-up view of paper being fed through a spindle of the present invention. Once the paper 19 has been drawn across the surface of the drawing table 11, the user can secure the paper 19 at the opposing end of the drawing table 11 by threading the leading edge 24 of the paper 19 through a slot 25 on the second spindle 15. In a preferred embodiment, the slot 25 extends along the length of the spindle 15, and extends through the diameter of the cylindrical pin of the spindle. Once the paper is threaded through the slot 25 on the spindle 15, the user can then wind the second spindle 15 by rotating the flat disk 21 thereon, so as to create a scroll of paper on the second spindle 15. In this way, the paper 19 is securely held on the table surface between the spindles, and the user can extend a clean sheet of paper onto the table from the roll of paper by turning the flat disk portion of either spindle.

(13) Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the drawing table of the present invention showing the manner in which the legs may be folded for storage. A pair of legs 20 is pivotally secured to a first support member 13 and a second pair of legs 20 is pivotally secured to a second support member 14. The first and second pair of legs 20 are pivotally connected to the first and second support member 13,14 such that the legs 20 can rotate between a folded and an unfolded configuration. In the folded configuration, the legs are substantially parallel to the first and second support members 13,14, and the legs 20 are flush with the first and second support members 13,14. In this way, the folded configuration is compact and convenient for storage in a closet or underneath a bed.

(14) In the unfolded configuration, the legs 20 support the table surface 12 in an horizontal, elevated position above the ground. In some embodiments of the present invention, the legs 20 are substantially perpendicular to the surface 12 when in the unfolded configuration. In other embodiments of the present invention, the legs 20 are disposed at an angle relative to one another as shown in FIG. 4. In this way, the legs provide a wide base to stabilize and support the drawing table. Where, the legs 20 are disposed at an angle relative to one another, each leg 20 is shaped as a parallelogram such that the bottom of the legs 20 can be positioned flush against the floor or other surface. From the unfolded configuration, the legs 20 can be folded inward and towards a central portion of the drawing table 11 in order to stow the legs 20 in the folded configuration.

(15) Children enjoy drawing and other such arts and crafts, but often lack sufficient space to perform these activities. Parents often encourage children to draw and color, and allow a child to use a coffee table or dining room table as a drawing surface, but children may accidentally or intentionally draw on these surfaces. Thus, parents must clean stray markings on furniture and walls which may be time consuming and expensive for the parents. The present invention provides a children's drawing table comprising a surface on which a child can draw. The drawing table also includes spindles for holding a roll of paper thereon, wherein the paper can be drawn across the table surface and secured on the opposing side of the table. The drawing table includes folding legs such that the drawing table can be easily stowed when not in use.

(16) It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

(17) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.