Combination table tennis system

Abstract

A simple combination of materials and machining that allows the assembly of four separate folding tables into a combined table tennis (i.e., ping pong) table. An edgebanding that is machined into a tongue and groove assembly on opposing table edges allows for the creation of a smooth and uniform playing surface when drawn together by a bolt and wing-nut assembly, This bolt and wing-nut assembly is designed to attach outside legs of the combining tables and create a tight juncture between the tongue and groove edges of the tables and provide the smooth and uniform playing surface This invention may be applied to tables of various thicknesses and materials.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A plurality of tables which may be joined to form a larger table, comprising: 
 a first table having an edge banding on at least one side, the edge banding having a groove formed on a vertical side thereof;    a second table having an edge banding on at least one side, the edge banding having a tongue formed on a vertical side thereof;    a fastening means, for fastening the first table and second table together so that the tongue on the second table fits into the groove in the first table so as to form a substantially seamless table surface.    
     
     
         2 . The tables of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening means comprises a bolt and nut, threaded between the first table and the second table.  
     
     
         3 . The tables of  claim 2 , wherein the first table is provided with table legs, and the second table is provided with table legs, and the bolt and nut are threaded between at least one of the table legs of the first table and at least one of the table legs of the second table.  
     
     
         4 . The tables of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening means comprises a shock chord, attached between the first table and the second table.  
     
     
         5 . The tables of  claim 4 , wherein the first table is provided with table legs, and the second table is provided with table legs, and the shock cord to attached between at least one of the table legs of the first table and at least one of the table legs of the second table.  
     
     
         6 . The tables of  claim 1 , wherein the first table and the second table, when joined, form at least a portion of a table tennis table, and wherein the edge banding of the first table and the edge banding of the second table join together to form a court line in the portion of the table tennis table.  
     
     
         7 . A table which may be joined with like tables to form a larger table, the table comprising: 
 a first edge on at least one side, the first edge having a groove formed on a vertical side thereof;    a second edge on at least one other side, the second edge banding having a tongue formed on a vertical side thereof;    a fastening means, for fastening the table to another like table together so that the tongue on the second edge fits into a groove in a first edge of a like table so as to form a substantially seamless table surface.    
     
     
         8 . The table of  claim 7 , wherein the fastening means comprises a bolt and nut, for threading between the table and a like table.  
     
     
         9 . The table of  claim 8 , wherein the table is provided with table legs and the bolt and nut are threaded between at least one of the table legs of the table and at least one of table legs of a like table.  
     
     
         10 . The table of  claim 7 , wherein the fastening means comprises a shock chord, for attaching between the table and a like table.  
     
     
         11 . The table of  claim 10 , wherein the table is provided with table legs and the shock cord to attached between at least one of the table legs of the table and at least one of table legs of a like table.  
     
     
         12 . The table of  claim 7 , wherein when the table and a like table, when joined, form at least a portion of a table tennis table.  
     
     
         13 . The table of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first edge and the second edge are formed from an edge banding attached to the side of the table.  
     
     
         14 . The table of  claim 13 , wherein when the table and a like table, when joined, form at least a portion of a table tennis table, such that at least a portion of the edge banding of the table, when joined to edge banding of a like table, form a court line in the portion of the table tennis table.