Table panel and process for making the same

Abstract

In a process for making a table panel, a looped peripheral frame confining a through-hole is formed in a first mold. The peripheral frame is placed in a second mold, and a bottom plate is formed in the through-hole such that a lateral end of the bottom plate extends along and is connected intimately to an inner wall of the peripheral frame. The peripheral frame and the bottom plate are placed in a third mold, and a transparent top plate is formed on the bottom plate in the through-hole. The top plate has a lateral end connected intimately to the inner wall of the peripheral frame.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A process for making a table panel, comprising: 
 forming in a first mold a looped peripheral frame confining a through-hole;    placing said peripheral frame in a second mold, and forming a bottom plate in said through-hole with a lateral end of said bottom plate extending along and being connected intimately to an inner wall of said peripheral frame; and    placing said peripheral frame and said bottom plate in a third mold, and forming a transparent top plate on said bottom plate in said through-hole with a lateral end of said top plate connected intimately to said inner wall of said peripheral frame.    
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said peripheral frame, said bottom plate and said top plate are made of a material that includes polystyrene.  
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising, forming a pattern in said bottom plate during the step of forming said bottom plate.  
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 3 , wherein said pattern is formed by providing said bottom plate with a color different from that of said peripheral frame.  
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 4 , wherein said pattern is further formed by providing said bottom plate with integral decorative projections that protrude into said top plate when said top plate is formed.  
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 5 , wherein said pattern is further formed by providing additionally decorative holes in said bottom plate.  
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 4 , wherein said pattern is further formed by providing decorative holes in said bottom plate, and inserting decorative pieces into said decorative holes, said decorating pieces protruding into said top plate when said top plate is formed.  
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 3 , further comprising, forming a ring member which projects downward from said bottom plate.  
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 3 , further comprising, forming mounting holes in a bottom side of said peripheral frame.  
     
     
         10 . A table panel produced according to the process of  claim 1 , comprising: 
 a looped peripheral frame having a top side and a bottom side and confining a through-hole; and    a bottom plate and a top plate formed in a stack within said through-hole and having lateral ends extending along and connected intimately to an inner wall of said peripheral frame, said top plate being transparent to permit viewing of said bottom plate.    
     
     
         11 . The table panel according to  claim 10 , wherein said peripheral frame and said bottom plate have different colors, said bottom plate being patterned.  
     
     
         12 . The table panel according to  claim 11 , wherein said bottom plate further includes decorative projections which protrude into said top plate and which are integrally formed with said bottom plate, said top plate having recesses to receive said decorative projections.  
     
     
         13 . The table panel according to  claim 11 , wherein said bottom plate has decorative holes formed therein.  
     
     
         14 . The table panel according to  claim 13 , wherein said bottom plate further includes decorative projections inserted into said decorative holes to protrude into said top plate, said top plate having recesses to receive said decorative projections.  
     
     
         15 . The table panel according to  claim 11 , wherein said top plate has a top face which is flush with said top side of said peripheral frame, said bottom plate having a bottom face flush with said bottom side of said peripheral frame.  
     
     
         16 . The table panel according to  claim 11 , wherein said bottom plate further includes a ring member which projects downward from a bottom face of said bottom plate, and a plurality of rollers mounted on said ring member and spaced apart circumferentially.  
     
     
         17 . The table panel according to  claim 11 , wherein said peripheral frame has a bottom side with mounting holes formed therein.