US 6,109,583 A · Tabletop having transparent surface and non scratch feet

Abstract

A tabletop item, such as a coaster, trivet, or ashtray, is inexpensively constructed yet can have significant aesthetic appeal. The item includes a first substantially transparent component having an inner surface and an outer surface, a second component comprising a piece of sheet material (such as paper) having first and second faces and multicolor indicia on at least the first face, and a third component comprising a base having an inner surface and an outer surface with a plurality of feet-receiving openings. A plurality of feet of non-scratch material extend through the feet receiving openings of the third component exteriorly thereof to support the tabletop item on a surface substantially without scratching the surface. The components are held together so that second component is disposed (e.g. sandwiched) between the inner surface of the first and third components. Preferably the openings are counterbored so that the heads of the feet are substantially flush with the inner surface of the third component. The components may be held together by frictional fit, adhesive, sonic welding, or the like. The paper may be easily printed with multi-color designs using a conventional computer controlled printer.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A tabletop item comprising:

a first, substantially transparent, component having an inner surface, and an outer surface;
a second component comprising a piece of sheet material having first and second faces and multicolor indicia on at least said first face, said sheet first face having dimensions substantially equal to or less than said first component inner surface;
a third component comprising a base having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outer surface having a plurality of feet-receiving openings therein;
said components held together so that said second component is disposed between said inner surfaces of said first and third components;
and
a plurality of feet of non-scratch material extending through said feet receiving openings of said third component exteriorly thereof to support said tabletop item on a surface substantially without scratching the surface, wherein said non-scratch feet comprise a shank portion and an enlarged head portion at one end of said shank portion;
and wherein said third component feet receiving openings extend through said third component, each said opening large enough for a said shank of a non-scratch foot to pass therethrough, but small enough so that a head of a said non-scratch foot cannot pass therethrough, said heads disposed between said inner surface of said first component and said outer surface of said third component.

4 more elements

A method of making a tabletop item from a first substantially transparent component having an inner surface and an outer surface, a second component comprising a piece of sheet material having first and second faces and multi-color indicia on at least the first face, and a third component comprising a base having an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of feet-receiving openings passing from the inner surface to the outer surface, and a plurality of feet of non-scratch material, and wherein said non-scratch feet comprise a shank portion and an enlarged head portion at one end of the shank portion;

and wherein the feet receiving openings are each large enough for a shank of a non-scratch foot to pass therethrough, but small enough so that a head of a non-scratch foot cannot pass therethrough;
said method comprising:
(a) placing the first face of the second component into substantially parallel juxtaposition with the inner surface of the first component;
(b) passing the feet through the feet-receiving openings so that portions of the feet extend outwardly from the outer surface of the third component but so that the heads of the feet do not pass through the openings;
and
(c) assembling the third component to the first component so that the second component is disposed between the inner surfaces of the first and third components and the feet allow the tabletop item to be placed on a surface substantially without scratching the surface.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tabletop having transparent surface and non scratch feet

Life of this patent

Tabletop having transparent surface and non scratch feet

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18