Patent US4887526A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4887526A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile trunk table
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-03-14
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Granted: 1989-12-19
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Expires: 2009-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A folding table for storage in an automobile and used in combination with the trunk of the automobile comprises an upper surface configured for holding items as the table is removed from or returned to the trunk, two adjustable, foldable legs for supporting the front of the table, the back resting on the trunk rim, and a ramp for removal of the table from and return of the table to the trunk. In the preferred embodiment, the ramp is a frame having two tracks that engage and guide two wheels fitted to the back of the table, the frame resting on the rim when being used and laying flat on the trunk floor under the table when being stored. In an alternative embodiment, the ramp comprises two tube carried in the sides of the table, a rod slidably carried within each tube but protruding a short distance from the back of the table and having ends that frictionally engage the trunk floor to maintain position of the rods relative to the floor as the table is slid from and to the trunk.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian L. Blatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R5/00; B60R5/04; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A table used in combination with an automobile having a trunk with a trunk floor and a trunk rim, said table comprising: an upper surface for holding objects having a front portion and a back portion, said upper surface laterally supporting said objects when said upper surface is not level; a lower surface opposite said upper surface; means for supporting said front portion attached to said lower surface, said supporting means including at least one leg, said leg having a folded position against said lower surface and a supporting, unfolded position; and a ramp means for removing said upper surface from said trunk floor by raising said front portion from said trunk floor to said trunk rim, said upper surface carried by said ramp means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A table used in combination with an automobile having a trunk with a trunk floor and a trunk rim, said table comprising: an upper surface for holding objects having a front portion and a back portion, said upper surface laterally supporting said objects when said upper surface is not level; a lower surface opposite said upper surface; means for supporting said front portion attached to said lower surface, said supporting means including at least one leg, said leg having a folded position against said lower surface and a supporting, unfolded position; and a ramp means for removing said upper surface from said trunk floor by raising said front portion from said trunk floor to said trunk rim, said upper surface carried by said ramp means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The table of claim 1 wherein said at least one leg is adjustable so that said upper surface may be made level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The table of claim 1 wherein said upper surface further comprises a rim along said upper surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The table of claim 3 wherein said rim has a raised portion at said back portion for additional lateral support as said front portion is raised relative to said back portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The table of claim 4 wherein said raised portion is adapted for holding taller items.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The table of claim 5 wherein said raised portion contains at least one well for holding a taller item.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The table of claim 1 wherein said lower surface has a pair of wheels and said ramp means further comprises: a frame for supporting said upper surface and any objects thereo; and a pair of parallel tracks attached to said frame, and of said tracks adapted to receive and guide one of said wheels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
The table of claim 1 wherein said upper surface includes two hollow tubes extending from said front portion to said back portion of said upper surface, and said ramp means further comprises: a rod slidably carried within each of said tubes, each of said rods having an end protruding from said back portion of said upper surface and adapted to frictionally engage said trunk floor so that said rods maintain position relative to said trunk, sliding within said tubes, as said table is removed from said trunk.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The table of claim 2, wherein said back portion of said upper surface has a pair of wheels and said ramp means further comprises: a frame for supporting said upper surface and any objects thereon; and a pair of parallel tracks attached to said frame, each of said tracks adapted to receive and guide one of said wheels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
The table of claim 2, wherein said upper surface includes two hollow tubes extending from said front portion to said back portion of said upper surface, and said ramp means further comprises: a rod slidably carried within each of said tubes, each of said rods having an end protruding from said back portion of said upper surface and adapted to frictionally engage said trunk floor so that said rods maintain position relative to said trunk, sliding within said tubes, as said table is removed from said trunk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The table of claim 6, wherein said back portion of said upper surface has a pair of wheels and said ramp means further comprises: a frame for supporting said upper surface and any objects thereon; and a pair of parallel tracks attached to said frame, each of said tracks adapted to receive and guide one of said wheels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
The table of claim 6, wherein said upper surface includes two hollow tubes extending from said front portion to said back portion of said upper surface, and said ramp means further comprises: a rod slidably carried within each of said tubes, each of said rods having an end protruding from said back portion of said upper surface and adapted to frictionally engage said trunk floor so that said rods maintain position relative to said trunk, sliding within said tubes, as said table is removed from said trunk.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The table of claim 6, wherein said at least one leg is adjustable so that said upper surface may be made level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The table of claim 13, wherein said back portion of said upper surface has a pair of wheels and said ramp means further comprises: a frame for supporting said upper surface and any objects thereon; and a pair of parallel tracks attached to said frame, each of said tracks adapted to receive and guide one of said wheels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
The table of claim 13, wherein said upper surface includes two hollow tubes extending from said front portion to said back portion of said upper surface, and said ramp means further comprises: a rod slidably carried within each of said tubes, each of said rods having an end protruding from said back portion of said upper surface and adapted to frictionally engage said trunk floor so that said rods maintain position relative to said trunk, sliding within said tubes, as said table is removed from said trunk.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for removing a table from an automobile trunk, said table having a front portion and a back portion, an upper surface configured to provide lateral support for items thereon, a lower surface, means for supporting said front portion attached to said lower surface; and ramp means for removing said upper surface from said trunk floor, said ramp means supporting said upper surface together with any items thereon and adapted to side relative to said upper surface; said trunk having a trunk rim and a trunk floor, said method comprising the steps of: raising said front portion with respect to said trunk floor to the approximate height of said rim, said items on said upper surface laterally supported as said front portion is raised; supporting said ramp means on said trunk rim; and sliding said table relative to said ramp means so that said table is removed from said trunk.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for removing a table from an automobile trunk, said table having a front portion and a back portion, an upper surface configured to provide lateral support for items thereon, a lower surface, means for supporting said front portion attached to said lower surface; and ramp means for removing said upper surface from said trunk floor, said ramp means supporting said upper surface together with any items thereon and adapted to side relative to said upper surface; said trunk having a trunk rim and a trunk floor, said method comprising the steps of: raising said front portion with respect to said trunk floor to the approximate height of said rim, said items on said upper surface laterally supported as said front portion is raised; supporting said ramp means on said trunk rim; and sliding said table relative to said ramp means so that said table is removed from said trunk.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-18 | 1993-06-19 | 1993-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-18 | 1997-06-19 | 1997-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-18 | 2001-06-19 | 2001-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |