Foldable Tennis Table with Multi-Ball Storage Contraption with Adjustable Position

Abstract

The Foldable Tennis Table with Multi-Ball Storage Contraption with Adjustable Position is a system designed for convenient retrieval of multiple tennis balls from the storage contraption during trainings and games when the table is in open position and for storage of tennis balls in the same contraption when the table is not in use. When the table is opened and set up for a game, the multi-ball storage contraptions are automatically positioned with an angle to the table panels. The contraptions have openings facing players for convenient retrieval of multiple balls. When the table is being folded for storage, the storage contraption changes its position gradually to become parallel to the table panels, while maintaining its opening on top. The change in position allows the contraption to be maintained within the external dimensions of the folded frame and keep balls inside for storage.

Claims

1. A foldable tennis table with adjustable multi-ball storage contraption, comprising: a. a table surface consisting of two halves; b. a support frame with pivot mechanisms which allows to move the surface halves to vertical position for storage; c. the support frame with legs, and other structural components positioned on sides and in the middle of the table allowing for open space under surfaces on each player side; d. adjustable multi-ball storage contraptions under surface halves on each side with openings facing players; e. flexible straps or rigid rods pivotally attached to the frame or panels and storage contraption allowing the storage contraption to turn to vertical position when the table is folded.

2. The table of claim 1, wherein said multi-ball storage contraption is mounted under panels with openings at 1-7 inches behind and 1-5 inches below the panel edges facing players;

3. The table of claim 1, wherein said multi-ball storage contraption has a shape of a rectangular box with dimensions where length and depth exceed the width;

4. The table of claim 1, wherein said multi-ball storage contraption dimensions allows for storage and retrieval of multiple tennis balls;

5. The table of claim 1, wherein said multi-ball storage contraption is made of rigid materials-cardboard, plastic, or thin metal or soft materials on a frame;

6. The table of claim 1, wherein said table comprises of two half surfaces which can be folded from an open horizontal playing position to storage configuration wherein said table half surfaces are in vertical position and wherein said multi-ball storage contraption is parallel to the table half surfaces in the closed configuration.

7. A combination of components in claim 1, comprising: a. a tennis table with two playing surfaces; b. a tennis table frame with design which allows to fold the surfaces and to have open space beneath the panels on players sides; c. a multi-ball storage and retrieval contraption mounted at a 30-45 angle beneath the playing surfaces when the table is in open position which gradually turns to vertical position when the table panels are moved to the storage configuration, d. the multi-ball storage contraption has capacity for a plurality of table tennis balls for storage and continuous retrieval during a game.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 shows left and right views of the Foldable Tennis Table with Multi-ball Storage Contraption with Adjustable Position when it is open for use. FIG. 3 shows the Table when it is being folded (halfway) for storage. FIG. 4 shows the Table in open position from one player side with access to the Multi-ball storage contraption.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is a Foldable Tennis Table with Multi-Ball Storage Contraption with Adjustable Position

[0013] In at least some embodiments (FIGS. 1-4) the table surface consists of two co-planar identical panels 1a, 1b divided by the middle line gap 2, along which where a net is positioned. The first 1a and the second 1b table panels are pivotally connected to the support legs 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h. There are 8 legs in total, 4 legs on each long side of the table. The support legs 3a and 3b are pivotally connected with a metal bar 4a. The support legs 3c and 3d are pivotally connected with a metal bar 4b. In the same way support legs 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h are connected with metal bars 4c and 4d of the other side of the table, respectively. The pivot-type connection of the support legs with the table panels and metal bars allows to fold the table in the vertical direction.

[0014] The support legs 3b and 3c are permanently connected with a flat metal bar 7a. The support legs 3f and 3g on the other side of the table are permanently connected with a flat metal bar 7b.

[0015] The support legs 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, metal bars 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and flat metal bars 7a and 7b form the table's support frame. The described components can be of any materials and any shape (straight, curved) and dimensions that can create the foldable table support and perform functions described below. The support legs are preferably made of hollow metal tubular material, and may or may not have wheels.

[0016] The tennis table's inside support legs 3b, 3c, 3f, 3g remain on the ground and support the table when it is in a folded position. The tennis table inside legs may have wheels for moving the table when folded for storage.

[0017] The tennis table frame allows for the unobstructed open space underneath table panels 1a and 1b on each player's side (FIG. 4). This open space allows to position the Multi-ball Storage Contraptions 5a and 5b on each player's side.

[0018] In at least some embodiments, the disclosed contraption is a various size flat box that can accommodate multiple tennis balls. One side of the box facing player is completely open with no lid or other cover. It allows for quick picking balls one by one when they are needed. The box can be made of various materials, such as carboard, plastic or thin metal. The preferred shape can be a rectangular box with dimensions where length and depth exceed the width. The box is attached underneath the tennis table in such a manner that it turns to a vertical position with the opening on top when the table is folded allowing to keep the balls in the box. When the table is being unfolded, the box gradually changes its position (rotates) with its opening facing toward the player. There may be one or two boxes attached to one table, one on each side for each player.

[0019] The box is attached to the table frame or panels, preferably to metal bars 4a, 4d, with flexible straps or metal rods 6a, 6b, 6g, 6h on one player's side; and to metal bars 4b, 4c with flexible straps or metal rods 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f on one player's side. The straps can be made of any flexible material, such as leather, plastic, or metal chain. The metal rods preferably have eye loops for pivot-type connection. The straps or pivotally connected rods allow to change position of the storage contraption underneath the table depending on the position of the table panels.

[0020] When the table is opened and set up for a game, the multi-ball storage contraptions 5a and 5b are automatically positioned with an angle to the table panels 1a and 1b. The preferred angle is 30-45 degrees. It allows the player to keep multiple balls inside and to easily retrieve them. When the table is being folded for storage, the storage contraptions 5a and 5b change their position gradually to become vertical and parallel to the table panels 1a and 1b, while maintaining their openings on top (FIG. 3). The preferred shape of the contraptions 5a and 5b and their parallel to the table panels 1a and 1b positions allow the contraptions to be maintained within the external dimensions of the folded frame and keep balls inside for storage. When the table is being opened for use, the contraptions 5a and 5b gradually changes their positions in the opposite way to achieve the desired 30-45 degree when the table is fully open. Folding the table and changing the position of the contraption within the frame between the table storage and use allows for keeping multiple balls inside without the need to take them out and then put them back. Gradual change of the contraption position allows to maintain the opening on top all the time to prevent spilling of the balls. For convenience and protection of balls during storage, the opening may have lid.

[0021] The description of the shapes, connections of the components and principles of the operation of the Foldable Tennis Table with Multi-Ball Storage Contraption with Adjustable Position does not set limits and those components and it can be modified. For example, modifications can be made to the dimensions and shape of the contraption or its angle. The points of affixing the straps or metal bars to the frame could be different, such as undersurface of the table panels 1a and 1b or support legs 3a-3h.