Multipurpose portable table

Abstract

A multipurpose portable table, and table and chair set. The multipurpose portable table provides storage for folding chairs or the like within its frame and includes foldable side portions. In various embodiments, the table includes a positionable handle and roller legs ends that allow the multipurpose portable table or table and chair set to be easily transported by a single person. The table, and table and chair set may also include a retaining bar that is structured to retain stored chairs or the like in the frame while the multipurpose portable table or table and chair set is being transported. Additionally, in some embodiments, folding chairs of a multipurpose portable table and chair set may include fabric seat and back rest surfaces, and the table top may include a glass surface. As a result, the present invention also provides an aesthetically appealing, comfortable, and cost effective multipurpose table, and table and chair set.

1 . A multipurpose portable table for use with folding chairs and the like, comprising: 
 a table top, said table top comprising: 
 a substantially planar center portion in a generally horizontal orientation having first and second ends, and opposite lateral sides; and  
 at least one substantially planar folding side portion pivotally joined to one of the lateral sides so as to be pivotable between an unfolded position in which said folding side portion is in a generally horizontal orientation substantially aligned with said center portion, and a folded position in which said folding side portion is in a generally vertical position extending substantially perpendicular from the lateral side; and  
   a frame that supports said table top, said frame comprising: 
 a center frame attached to said center portion and having a first pair of legs extending substantially perpendicular from and adjacent the first end of said center portion, and a second pair of legs extending substantially perpendicular from and adjacent the second end of said center portion;  
 a bottom support in a generally horizontal orientation attached to said first and second pairs of legs and located below said center portion; and  
 at least one folding side frame pivotally joined to said center portion and said bottom support and having at least one supplemental support leg, said folding side frame having a unfolded position in which said supplemental support leg is positioned away from said center frame so as to support said folding side portion in said unfolded position, and a folded position in which said supplemental support leg is adjacent said center frame and said folding side portion assumes said folded position, wherein said center portion, said center frame, and said bottom support define a storage volume which is accessible through one of said pairs of legs and which is suitable for storing folding chairs or the like.  
   
   
   
       2 . The multipurpose portable table of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining bar attached between said second pair of legs, said retaining bar being structured to retain folding chairs or the like within said storage volume when said multipurpose portable table is transported using said roller leg ends.  
   
   
       3 . The multipurpose portable table of  claim 1 , further comprising a positionable handle attached between said first pair of legs, said positionable handle structured to aid in transporting said multipurpose portable table using said roller leg ends.  
   
   
       4 . The multipurpose portable table of  claim 1 , said table further comprising a table top surface constructed of a glass material.  
   
   
       5 . The multipurpose portable table of  claim 1 , wherein said second pair of legs has roller leg ends.  
   
   
       6 . The multipurpose portable table of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one folding side portion comprises first and second folding side portions, each folding side portion adjacent one of the lateral sides of said center portion, and wherein said at least one folding side frame comprises first and second folding side frames pivotally joined on opposite sides of said center frame, and wherein said first folding side frame has an unfolded position in which said supplemental support leg of said first folding side frame is positioned away from said center frame so as to support said first folding side portion in said unfolded position, and said second folding side frame has an unfolded position in which said supplemental support leg of said second folding side frame is positioned away from said center frame so as to support said second folding side portion in said unfolded position, and said first and second folding side frames have a folded position in which said supplemental support legs are adjacent said center frame and said folding side portions assume said folded positions.  
   
   
       7 . The multipurpose portable table of  claim 6 , wherein when said first and second folding side portions and said first and second folding side frames are in said unfolded positions, said table top has a generally circular shape.  
   
   
       8 . The multipurpose portable table of  claim 6 , wherein when said first and second folding side portions and said first and second folding side frames are in said unfolded positions, said table top has a generally rectangular shape.  
   
   
       9 . A multipurpose portable table and chair set comprising: 
 at least one folding chair having seat and backrest portions attached to a frame, said folding chair having an unfolded position in which the frame supports the seat portion in a generally horizontal orientation and the back rest portion in a vertical or slightly reclined orientation, and a folded position in which the seat portion, the back rest portion, and the frame are overlapping; and    a multipurpose portable table comprising: 
 a table top, said table top comprising: 
 a substantially planar center portion in a generally horizontal orientation having first and second ends, and opposite lateral sides; and  
 at least one substantially planar folding side portion pivotally joined to one of the lateral sides so as to be pivotable between an unfolded position in which said folding side portion is in a generally horizontal orientation substantially aligned with said center portion, and a folded position in which said folding side portion is in a generally vertical position extending substantially perpendicular from the lateral side; and  
 
 a frame that supports said table top, said frame comprising: 
 a center frame attached to said center portion and having a first pair of legs extending substantially perpendicular from and adjacent the first end of said center portion, and a second pair of legs extending substantially perpendicular from and adjacent the second end of said center portion, said second pair of legs having roller leg ends;  
 a bottom support in a generally horizontal orientation attached to said first and second pairs of legs and located below said center portion; and  
 at least one folding side frame pivotally joined to said center portion and said bottom support and having at least one supplemental support leg, said folding side frame having a unfolded position in which said supplemental support leg is positioned away from said center frame so as to support said folding side portion in said unfolded position, and a folded position in which said supplemental support leg is adjacent said center frame, and said folding side portion assumes said folded position,  
 
   wherein when said at least one folding chair is in said folded position, said folding chair may be turned on its side and stored within said center frame, supported by said bottom support and underneath said center portion, and wherein when said folding chair is stored within said center frame, and said folding side portion and said folding side frame are in said folded positions, said multipurpose portable table and chair set may be transported using said roller leg ends.    
   
   
       10 . The multipurpose portable table and chair set of  claim 9 , further comprising a chair retaining bar attached between said second pair of legs of said multipurpose portable table, said chair retaining bar being structured to retain said at least one folding chair within said frame of said multipurpose portable table when said multipurpose portable table and chair set is transported using said roller leg ends.  
   
   
       11 . The multipurpose portable table and chair set of  claim 9 , further comprising a positionable handle attached between said first pair of legs of said multipurpose portable table, said positionable handle structured to aid in transporting said multipurpose portable table and chair set using said roller leg ends.  
   
   
       12 . The multipurpose portable table and chair set of  claim 9 , said at least one folding chair further comprising seat and back rest surfaces constructed of a fabric material.  
   
   
       13 . The multipurpose portable table and chair set of  claim 9 , said multipurpose portable table further comprising a table top surface constructed of a glass material.  
   
   
       14 . The multipurpose portable table and chair set of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one folding side portion comprises first and second folding side portions, each folding side portion adjacent one of the lateral sides of said center portion, and wherein said at least one folding side frame comprises first and second folding side frames pivotally joined on opposite sides of said center frame, and wherein said first folding side frame has an unfolded position in which said supplemental support leg of said first folding side frame is positioned away from said center frame so as to support said first folding side portion in said unfolded position, and said second folding side frame has an unfolded position in which said supplemental support leg of said second folding side frame is positioned away from said center frame so as to support said second folding side portion in said unfolded position, and said first and second folding side frames have a folded position in which said supplemental support legs are adjacent said center frame and said folding side portions assume said folded positions.  
   
   
       15 . The multipurpose portable table and chair set of  claim 9 , wherein said multipurpose portable table and chair set includes four folding chairs.  
   
   
       16 . The multipurpose portable table and chair set of  claim 14 , wherein when said first and second folding side portions and said first and second folding side frames are in said unfolded positions, said table top has a generally circular shape.  
   
   
       17 . The multipurpose portable table and chair set of  claim 14 , wherein when said first and second folding side portions and said first and second folding side frames are in their unfolded positions, said table top has a generally rectangular shape.