Systems and apparatus for table conversion

Abstract

An apparatus for converting tables having a horizontal planar surface and a frame affixed to one side of the surface. The frame is dimensioned to capture a plurality of tables beneath the table converting apparatus.

1 . A system for providing a variety of table sizes, comprising: 
 a plurality of tables, wherein each of the plurality of tables comprises a tabletop having a table top surface and a table bottom surface;    a table converter top, wherein the table converter top comprises a horizontal planar surface, wherein the horizontal planar surface comprises a converter top surface, wherein the horizontal planar surface comprises a converter bottom surface, and wherein the converter top surface comprises an area greater than a surface area of two of the plurality of the table top surfaces; and    a table converter frame, wherein the table converter frame is configured to be affixed to and extend below the converter bottom surface and wherein the table converter frame is further configured to capture the plurality of tables when the table converter top is placed on top of the plurality of tables.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the table converter frame extends below the table bottom surface of the tabletop on each of the plurality of tables.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the table converter frame further comprises a plurality of members, wherein each of the plurality of members is affixed to the converter bottom surface, wherein each of the plurality of members is affixed to another of the plurality of members, such that the frame defines a portion of the converter bottom surface.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the each of the plurality of members is affixed to another of the plurality of members with a joining element.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the joining element is a strap.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the joining element is a bracket.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of tabletops is configured to fit inside the area enclosed by the frame when the table converter top is placed on the plurality of tables.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the frame comprises rounded corners.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the rounded corners comprise a constant radius of curvature.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a hinge on the horizontal planar surface for folding the table converter top.  
   
   
       11 . A system for providing a variety of table configurations, comprising: 
 means for converting a plurality of tables into a single table, wherein the single table has a larger surface area than the sum of the surface areas of the plurality of tables; and    means for converting a large single table into the plurality of tables, wherein a single table converter is removed from the top of the plurality of tables, wherein the single table converter is stored in a compact manner.    
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for converting tables comprising: 
 a horizontal planar surface, wherein the horizontal planar surface comprises a first side for providing a smooth table surface and a second side for engaging a plurality of tables; and    a frame affixed to the second side for defining a recessed area on the second side of the horizontal planar surface, wherein the frame is configured to capture the plurality of tables.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the recessed area is configured to receive a plurality of adjacent tables when the second side of the horizontal planar surface is placed on top of the plurality of adjacent tables.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the frame is substantially complementary with the plurality of tables, for preventing the plurality of tables from shifting within the recessed area.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a hinge on the horizontal planar surface, for folding the apparatus.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the frame extends below the tops of the plurality of tables.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the frame comprises rounded corners.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the rounded corners comprise a constant radius of curvature.  
   
   
       19 . A method of using a table top conversion apparatus comprising: 
 converting a plurality of tables into a single table, using a single tabletop converter, wherein the single table has a larger surface area than the sum of the surface areas of the plurality of tables; and    converting a large single table into a plurality of tables, wherein the single tabletop converter is stored in a compact manner.