ALTAR AND PLANTER TABLE

Abstract

The invention provides a simple, bi-level, three-legged table that can be used as an altar or a planter table. A table of the invention has a table top, three supporting legs mounted to the underside of the table top, a single shelf mounted beneath the table top to a portion of each of the three legs, and optionally, an emblem representing a monotheistic or polytheistic religion for use as an altar.

Claims

1. A bi-level, three-legged table for use as an altar or planter table comprising a table top, three supporting legs mounted to the underside the table top, and a single shelf mounted beneath the table top to a portion of each the three legs.

2. The table of claim 1, wherein the table top, the shelf, or the table top and the shelf each comprises a circular cross-section.

3. The table of claim 2, wherein the table top and the shelf each comprises a circular cross-section, and wherein the circular cross-section of the table top comprises a first diameter, the circular cross-section of the shelf comprises a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter.

4. The table of claim 1, wherein each of the three legs is equidistance from the other.

5. The table of claim 1, wherein each of the three legs are secured to the underside of the table top at an angle so as to similarly flare outward.

6. The table of claim 1, wherein the three legs are about 36 inches long.

7. The table of claim 1, wherein the table top is about 36 inches high.

8. The table of claim 1, wherein the shelf is mounted about mid-point or above mid-point of the legs.

9. The table of claim 1, which is constructed of wood.

10. The table of claim 1, further comprising an emblem.

11. The table of claim 10, wherein the emblem is a religious emblem.

12. The table of claim 10, wherein the emblem is a cross, a pentagram or a Yin and Yang symbol.

13. The table of claim 10, wherein the religious emblem is an emblem of a polytheistic religion.

14. The table of claim 13, wherein the polytheistic religion is Buddhism, Hinduism, or Paganism.

15. The table of claim 10, wherein the table top, the shelf, or the table top and the shelf each comprises an emblem of a god from a polytheistic religion.

16. The table of claim 15, wherein the polytheistic religion is Buddhism, Hinduism, or Paganism.

17. The table of claim 15, wherein the god is Sun God of Hinduism or Buddhism, or the Pagan Goddess of Youth and New Beginnings, Mother Goddess of Strength, Love and Healing, Wise Crone Goddess of the Underworld, Gnomes and Fairies, Bright Sun God, Great Forrest God, and Wise Crone God of Rest and Protection.

18. The table of claim 10, wherein each of the three legs comprises an emblem of a god from a polytheistic religion.

19. The table of claim 18, wherein the polytheistic religion is Buddhism, Hinduism, or Paganism.

20. The table of claim 18, wherein the god is Sun God of Hinduism or Buddhism, or Pagan's Goddess of Youth and New Beginnings, Mother Goddess of Strength, Love and Healing, Wise Crone Goddess of the Underworld, Gnomes and Fairies, Bright Sun God, Great Forrest God, and Wise Crone God of Rest and Protection of Paganism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an altar of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the altar shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an altar shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of an altar shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of an altar shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a back elevation view of the altar illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a mirror image side view of the altar illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the altar illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the altar illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the altar illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a back elevation view of the altar illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 8.

[0027] FIGS. 14A-15B are schematic illustrations of the underside of table 32 showing the positions of angle connectors 33 (14A) and the underside of shelf 34 showing the positions of angle connectors 35 (14B).

[0028] FIGS. 15A-15B are schematic illustrations of two sides of leg 36.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The invention provides a simple, bi-level, three-legged table that can be used as an altar or a planter table. A table of the invention has a table top, three supporting legs mounted to the underside of the table top, a single shelf mounted beneath the table top to a portion of each of the three legs, and optionally, an emblem representing a monotheistic or polytheistic religion or a deity or god of such a religion for use as an altar.

[0030] An embodiment of a table of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-6. Table 10 includes table top 12, single shelf 14, and three supporting legs 16. Table top 12 and shelf 14 both have circular cross-sections. Shelf 14 is mounted beneath table top 12, occupying a space defined by the inner sides of the three supporting legs 16. Shelf 14 is mounted to a portion of each of the three legs 16 generally about mid-point or above mid-point of each leg 16 as to form a mid-level or upper level shelf. Each of the supporting legs 16 has a rectangular cross-section, one end of which is mounted to the underside of table top 12. Each of the three legs 16 is positioned so as to be equidistance from the other two legs, and all are mounted at an angle so as to be similarly flared.

[0031] Legs 16 can be mounted to the underside of table 12 using any means known to those skilled in the art including, for example, an adhesive or one or more mechanical fasteners such as, without limitation, one or more connecting angles, screws, bolts or any combination thereof. Similarly, shelf 14 can be mounted to each of the three legs 16 using any means known to those skilled in the art including, for example, an adhesive or one or more mechanical fasteners such as, without limitation, one or more connecting angles, screws, bolts or any combination thereof. Where constructed of wood, table top 12, shelf 14 and legs 13 can also be assembled using any method of connecting wood components known to those skilled in the art including, for example, use of the following type of wood joints in combination with one or more mechanical fasteners or adhesive as known in the art: butt joint, mitered butt joint, half-lap joint, tongue and groove joint, mortise and tenon joint, biscuit joint, pocket joint, dado joint, rabbet joint, Dovetail joint, sliding Dovetail joint, or a box joint. FIGS. 7-13 illustrate another embodiment of a table of the invention in which table top 12 and shelf 14 are mounted to legs 16 using a plurality of mechanical fasteners including angle connectors and bolts. In table 30, the upper end of each leg 36 is secured to the underside of table 32 using a pair of angle connectors 33 that form a bracket on opposite sides of leg 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 13. Shelf 34 is secured to each of the three legs 36 using angle connector 35, one plate of which is fastened to the underside of table 34 and the other plate is fastened a portion of the innser side of each leg 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 11, and 12.

[0032] Specific details provided herein and in the drawings including the identification of particular materials, shapes and fasteners are provided to illustrate embodiments of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without these specific or particular details, as is clear to one skilled in the art. For example, the table top and/or shelf can have a triangular, rectangular, square, or oval cross-section. Similarly, the legs can have a round, oval, triangular, square or oval cross-section. The table can be constructed of various materials including stained, painted or unfinished wood, plastic, metal, glass, tile, ceramic, or any combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of wood that can be used to construct a table of the invention include pine, maple, oak, cedar, cherry, hickory, ash, walnut, and aspen. The shelf can be mounted at a useful distance from the table top, for example, about mid-point or above mid-point on the legs. The shelf can be mounted about half way from either the top or bottom ends of the legs, for example, about 18 to 20 inches from an end of the legs. The shelf can be mounted above the midpoint of the legs or at a useful distance from the table top. The shelf can be about 15 inches below the table top, or about 20 to 22 inches from the ground or from the base of the legs.

[0033] A table of the invention can include an emblem from a monotheistic or polytheistic religion or from a philosophical or religious tradition. As used herein, the term emblem includes a symbol, script, word, one or more letter combination, calligraphy, icon, depiction of an object, depiction of a scene, or a symbol associated with or representing a god including, for example and without limitation, the Sun God of Hinduism or Buddhism; the three major Hindu gods; or the Goddess of Youth and New Beginnings, Mother Goddess of Strength, Love and Healing, the Wise Crone Goddess of the Underworld, Gnomes and Fairies, the Bright Sun God, the Great Forrest God, and the Wise Crone God of Rest and Protection of Paganism. As used herein, the term god is gender neutral and includes a goddess or any male or female deity. An emblem also can be associated with, symbolic of, or representating a religious dogma, belief, value, principle, as well as group of people, an organization, a religious faith, a religious tradition, a philosophy or philosophical tradition, a way of life, or a sports team.

[0034] A table of the invention for use as an altar can include an emblem from the Bah'i Faith, Buddhism, Chistianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Paganism, Shintoism, Sikhism, and Taoism.

[0035] A table of the invention can include one or more the following symbols, for example: the Nine-point Star of the Bah'i/Faith; the Wheel of Dharma (Darmachakra) of Buddhism; the cross or Ichthys (fish) of Christianity; the Wooden-clapper Bell of Confucianism; the Angel Moroni from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints; the Lamb and Lion from the Community of Christ; the Triple Spiral from Druidism or Neopaganism; the Om or Aum formed by three Sanskrit letters or the Hindu Swastika from Hinduism; the Star and Crescent or the Arabic word for Allah for the Islamic faith; the Ahimsa Hand for the Jain Vow of Ahimsa from Jainism; the Cakra Bhawana or Hyang from Javanism; the six-pointed Star of David or the Menorah from Judaism; the Phrygian cap or Tauroctony or the scene of Mithras slaying the bull from Mithraism; the Pentagram from Paganism or Wicca; the hammer Mjolnir from Norse polytheism or Germanic Neopaganism; the Torii Gate of Shintoism; the Khanda of Sikhism; the Taijitu or Yin and Yang of Taoism; the Unicursal Hexagram of Thelema; the Swastika of Buddhism, Hinduism or Jainism; and the Faravahar from Zoroastrianism. A table of the invention for use as an altar can be constructed with an emblem on the table top, shelf or one or more of the three legs using methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0036] The following examples describe specific embodiments of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

EXAMPLE

Example 1Preparation of Altar Top and Shelf for Construction of a 36-Inch and a 40-Inch Altar

[0037] To form the altar top and shelf, a 48 sheet of sanded plywood was cut into two, and each sheet of plywood was used to form nine circles. Thus, from a sheet of sanded plywood (48, inch thick), 16-inch and 14-inch diameter circles were jigsawed to produce circular altar top 32 and shelf 34, respectively. A 16-inch half circle was also constructed of thin wood for use as a template.

[0038] To prepare altar top 32 and shelf 34 for attachment to altar legs 36, the positions of attachment of angle connectors 33 to undersides 32u and 34u of altar top 32 and shelf 34, respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14B were determined as follows. The circumferences of altar top 32 and shelf 34 were determined by measurement and then divided by three to identify three positions about equal distance or equal arc lengths apart on each of the circumferential edge of altar top 32 and shelf 34. A radial line about 6 inches in length were drawn from each position toward the center to produce guide lines R1, R2 and R3 on the underside of altar top 32 and guide lines r1, r2 and r3 on underside of altar shelf 34 as shown in FIGS. 14A-14B. A 16-inch half template was used to form the radial guide lines.

[0039] For altar top 32, additional cross lines C1, C2 and C3 intersecting R1, R2 and R3, respectively, were marked for positioning of angle connectors 33. For constructing a 36-inch altar, cross lines C1, C2 and C3 were drawn to intersect R1, R2 and R3 at 1 inches from the edge. For constructing a 40-inch altar, cross lines C1, C2 and C3 were drawn to intersect R1, R2 and R3 at 1 inches from the edge.

[0040] Altar top 32 and shelf 34 were primer painted using an all-in-one primer, sealer and top coat.

Example 2Preparation of Altar Legs

[0041] A 12 feet 26 Douglas fir lumber board was cut 41 inches from an end twice to produce three sections of similar lengths. Each section was cut in half lengthwise at 2 inches to form six altar legs 36 having a rectangular cross-section of about 1 inches2 inches.

[0042] To form three altar legs for a 36-inch tall altar, a mark was placed about 36 inches from one end on a narrow side of each of three legs, and similar mark was placed 36 inches from the same end on the opposite narrow side so that the first and second marks were on opposite surfaces of the same end. Similarly, to form three altar legs for the 40-inch altar, a mark was placed about 40 inches from one end on a narrow side of each of three legs, and a similar mark was placed about 40 inches from the same end on the opposite narrow side so that the first and second marks were on opposite surfaces of the same end.

[0043] The marked end was trimmed mark to mark to form angled end 36t, narrow leg side 36s (about 36 or 40 inches long), a second and opposite narrow leg side 36l (about 36 or 40 inches long), and two opposite leg sides 36a of similar lengths having an angle top edge at end 36t as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B.

[0044] To prepare alter top 32 for mounting to end 36t of legs 36, hole 37h was drilled near leg end 36t as follows. On angle side 36a of each altar leg, a 4-inch line is marked at 1 inch to the center. Then at 1 inches down from the angle edge at 36t, hole 37h was drilled on angle side 36a of each leg through the entire 1 inch thickness of leg 36 (FIG. 15A) with a 5/16 inch wood drill bit using a drill press.

[0045] To prepare alter shelf 34 for mounting to leg 36, hole 39h ( inch wide) (FIG. 15B) was drilled on long side 361 of each of leg 36 through the entire 2 inch thickness of leg 36. Where leg 36 was 36 to 36 inches long, hole 39h was drilled at a position about 19 inches up from bottom end 36b. Where leg 36 was 40 to 40 inches long, hole 39h was drilled at a position about 21 inches from bottom end 36b.

[0046] The altar legs were primer painted using an all-in-one primer, sealer and top coat.

Example 3Preparation of Angle Connectors

[0047] Galvanized steel angle connectors were used to mount altar top 32 and shelf 34 to altar legs 36. Six ZMAX 18 gauge galvanized steel angle connectors, connectors 33, were used to attach altar top 32 to three altar legs 36. Each upper angle connector 33 has larger plate 33L (2-inch2-inch) adjoining smaller plate 33s (2-inch1-inch) at bend 33b (available at HOME Depot, A23Z ESR-2523 ER 102).

[0048] To prepare angle connector 33 for mounting altar top 32 to altar legs 36, two angle connectors 33 were positioned back to back with the shorter plates 33s (2-inch1-inch) extending upward to align the pre-drilled holes. One set of the aligned, #6 pre-drilled holes about 1 inch from the side edge and about inch from the top edge of shorter, upward-extending plates 33s was selected and marked for leg mount openings. A -inch opening was formed in shorter plates 33s by drilling through the selected pre-drilled hole to form the leg-mount opening.

[0049] Three ZMAX 18 gauge galvanized steel angle connectors, connectors 35, were used to attach altar shelf 34 to three altar legs 36. Each of the lower angle connector 35 has larger plate 35L (1-inch2-inch) and smaller plate 35s (1-inch1-inch) on other side of bend 35b (available at Home Depot, A217 ESR-2523 ER-102).

[0050] To prepare angle connector 35 for attachment of altar shelf 34 to altar leg 36, each angle connector 35 was adjusted by bending the plates about an additional inch apart to open the angle at bend 35b to greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees as needed. A position about inch above bend 35b and centered side to side (about 11/16 inch from a side edge) was marked on larger plate 35L (1-inch2-inch), and a hole was drilled at the marked position to form a leg mount opening.

Example 4Attachment of Angle Connectors to Altar Top and Shelf

[0051] For each altar top 32, three pairs of angle connector 33 were fastened to underside 32u of altar top 32 in opposing directions using glue and one or more screws in an arrangement as shown in FIG. 14A. Each angle connector 33 in the pair was positioned with smaller plate 33s (2-inch1-inch) extending perpendicularly outward from the surface of underside 32u and larger plate 33L (2-inch2-inch) laying flush against underside 32u and extending in opposite direction from the other member in the pair. Each connector 33 in the pair was mounted about 1 inches apart about equal distance on either side of guide line R1, R2 or R3 as shown in FIG. 14A.

[0052] For the 36-altar, each connector 33 was also positioned so one of its 2-inch edge aligned with cross line C1, C2 or C3 occurring at 1 inches in along guide line R1, R2 or R3 (see FIG. 14A). Each connector 33 was positioned so that the side of connector 33 on which the -inch drilled leg mount opening is located is closest to the circumferential edge of altar top 32.

[0053] For the 40-inch altar, each connector 33 was positioned so one of its 2-inch edge aligned with cross line C1, C2 or C3 occurring at 1 inches in along guide line R1, R2 or R3 (see FIG. 14A). Each connector 33 was positioned so that the side of connector 33 on which the -inch drilled leg mount opening is located is closest to the center of the altar top 32 (in contrast, to the 36-inch altar).

[0054] As such, plates 33s of each pair of angle connector 33 form a bracket between which an altar leg 36 was secured o altar top 32.

[0055] For each altar shelf 34, three angle connectors 35 were fastened to underside 34u of altar shelf 34 at positions r1, r2 and r3 using glue and one or more screws in an arrangement as shown in FIG. 14B. Each angle connector 35 was positioned so bend 35b extended beyond the circumferential edge of shelf 34 thereby forming an overhang of about inch, with smaller plate 35s (1-inch1-inch) laying flush against underside 34u, and larger plate 35L (1-inch2-inch) extending outward from underside 34u at an obtuse angle with respect to the underside 14u to contact a portion of the inner side of a leg 36 beneath shelf 34 as shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 11-12.

Example 5Assembly of Altars

[0056] To construct the 36-inch altar, three 36-36-inch altar legs were secured to underside 32u of altar top 32 as follows. Altar top 32 with three pairs of connector 33 attached as described above was placed upside down. The angled end of each of three altar legs 36 (36-36-inches long) was inserted between two short plate 33s of each pair of angle connector 33, the longer side of leg 36 (36-inches) facing the center of altar top 32 and the shorter side of leg 36 (36-inches) facing outward. Each leg 36 was secured in place between two of angle connector 33 using shorter bolts and nuts (-inch2-inch bolts and -inch nuts). Altar shelf 34 was then mounted between three legs 36 through angle connector 35 using longer bolts, washer and nuts ((-inch3-inch bolts, washer between bolt and outside of leg, and -inch nuts) inserted through leg openings 39h extending about 2 inches from side 36s through to side 361 formed as described above at about 19 inches up from bottom end 36b of each of the 36-36-inch legs.

[0057] To construct the 40-inch altar, three 40-40-inch altar legs were secured to underside 32u of altar top 32 as follows. Altar top 32 with three pairs of connector 33 attached as described above was placed upside down. The angled end of each of three altar leg 36 (40-40-inches long) was inserted between two short plate 33s of each pair of angle connector 33, the longer side of leg 16 (40-inch) facing the center of altar top 32 and the shorter side of leg 36 (40-inch) facing outward. Each leg 36 was secured in place between two angle connectors 33 using shorter bolts and nuts (-inch2-inch bolts and -inch nuts). Altar shelf 34 was then mounted between three legs 36 through angle connector 35 using longer bolts, washer and nuts ((-inch3-inch bolts, washer between bolt and outside of leg, and -inch nuts) inserted through leg openings 39h extending about 2 inches from side 36s through to side 361 formed as described above at about 21 inches up from bottom end 36b of each of the 40-40-inch legs.

[0058] Hardware used as described above for fastening altar top 32 or shelf 34 to legs 36 at holes 37h and 39h, respectively, were galvanized for outside use. Three -inch3-inch bolts, three -inch2-inch bolts, three -inch washers, six -inch nuts, and twenty #6-inch screws were used for each altar.

[0059] As constructed, a table of the invention can be used as an altar for Pagan religious ceremonies, for example, used for worshipping gods and deities. Various candles, religious items, ritual tools or objects, and statutes can be placed on the altar top or transferred to the altar shelf, about 15 inches below the altar top, as part of the religious ceremony or ritual. The bi-level 36-inch or 40-inch altar assembles or disassembles by manipulation of six bolts. The legs have a base of about 23 inches or 24 inches for the 36-inch or 40-inch table, respectively. The cross-sectional dimensions of 1 inch2 inches for each leg allow for stability at high wind conditions such as in the outdoors, for example, at 70 miles per hour wind, as well as strength, for example, supporting a weight of about 100 pounds. Quarter inch bolts transfer the weight of the table to the legs.

[0060] The bi-level, three legged table with one or more religious emblem is particularly useful as an altar for purpose of religious worship. Inclusion of a religious emblem, for example, the Pentagram on the altar top, shelf or both allow for use of the table as an altar in a Pagan ritual or religious ceremony. Each of the three legs allow for symbolic representation, or representation through inclusion of an emblem, of a god or deity of a triad, for example, each of the three legs representing the Pagan Goddess of Youth and New Beginnings, Mother Goddess of Strength, Love and Healing, or Wise Crone Goddess of the Underworld, Gnomes and Fairies (the afterlife). Each of the three legs can represent Bright Sun God, Great Forrest God and Wise Crone God of Rest and Protection (the Afterlife and Now).

[0061] Each of the legs, as well as the table top or shelf can include an emblem, color, or other representation of a god or deity. For example, the Pagan Goddess of Youth and New Beginnings can be represented by the color white, a candle, or a flower; Mother Goddess of Strength, Love and Healing can be represented by the color red or a female warrior with a sword; Wise Crone Goddess of the Underworld, Gnomes and Fairies (the afterlife) can be represented by the color black; Bright Sun God can be represented by the color yellow, a symbol of a yellow sun, candle, or the Hindu sun symbol; the Great Forrest God can be represented by the color green, a green faced man with a beard and mustache, or a green candle.

[0062] The 36-inch tall altar is also particularly useful as Pagan altar for its symbolic representation of three deities in each group and the six deities collectively. The three legs of a table of the invention is particularly useful for its symbolic representation, or representation through inclusion of an emblem, of three members of a religious triad.

Other Embodiments of the Invention

[0063] The materials, methods, examples and embodiments described herein are illustrative and not intended to be limiting. Methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention. The invention described herein may be practiced in the absence of any element or limitation that is not specifically disclosed as essential. The methods described herein may be practiced in differing orders of steps. Any combination of elements described herein that does not render the invention inoperable as apparent from context, this specification and to those skilled in the art is included within the scope of the invention.

[0064] The invention also has been described broadly and generically herein. Each narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure form part of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term about in reference to a numeric value means within 10% of the specified value. A number is about a reference value if the number is within a range that is + or 10% of the reference value.