TABLECLOTH COMPRISING MEANS FOR ATTACHING TO A TABLE

Abstract

 The invention relates to a tablecloth that comprises means for attaching to a table, which tablecloth completely covers the table and can be made of any material usually used in this product. The tablecloth comprises attachment means (2) on the lower face thereof, in correspondence with the corners of the table (3) and situated on either side of each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) in the area of same defining the skirts (12) beyond the surface (11) of the tablecloth that covers the table when placed in position, the attachment means joining the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13), thereby keeping all the corners of the table and the tablecloth (1) fitted to the table top formed and joined.

Description

Object of the invention

[0001] The object of this invention refers to a tablecloth, of the type that totally covers a table, that can be made of any of the materials commonly used in this product, which may be: paper, fabric, plastic, etc.; which presents the particular feature that it is provided with means for attaching to a table, in a quick and stable way, which prevents it from flying away or moving from its ideal position of being centred with respect to the table through the effect of the wind. This tablecloth is preferably intended for standard square or rectangular tables, although the same attachment means adopted for these types of table would be capable of adapting to tablecloths for round, oval, or other tables configured in a non-standardised way.

Background of the invention

[0002] Various contraptions for attaching a tablecloth to a table are frequently used currently, especially on terraces and outdoor places wherein the wind lifts or even pulls the tablecloth off the table. For this reason, the use of various types of gadget for attaching tablecloths is growing appreciably due to the advantages this involves for organising dining rooms, for placing the tablecloths in position on the part of the waiting staff, mainly in outdoor installations. Furthermore, the use of devices for attaching tablecloths allows a uniform vision to be offered, which creates a favourable impression on the consuming public. A multitude of clips and similar elements are known that are positioned on top of the tablecloth, at the edge of the table, exerting pressure above and below the tabletop. But, in general, these elements have the inconvenience that they must be placed in position after the tablecloth and on top of it and taken off again to be kept for re-use as they are alien elements to the tablecloth itself and are therefore subject to being lost or stolen. On the other hand, they are not aesthetically pleasing and are practically limited to paper tablecloths since the clip creases the tablecloth underneath the tabletop and, when placed on fabric tablecloths, the pressure of the fabric itself expels the clip outwards: furthermore, its use is limited to tabletops of a standard thickness.

[0003] Some examples of tablecloths endowed with their own means of attaching to a table are also known. Specifically, document CN103504906 describes a tablecloth subject to being attached to a table and which is suitable for being attached to tables of different sizes, to which end it comprises buckles (2) that are sewn in the side of the body of the tablecloth (1), facing the surface of the table, comprising at least a first buckle (21) and a second buckle (22), in correspondence with the legs of table tops of different sizes; the body of the tablecloth (1) also comprises attachment means (3), that are independent, to which the first buckle (21) or the second buckle (22) are attached, joining them to the legs of the table. Document CN103654087 describes a similar tablecloth to the above, that has, on the lower face, in correspondence with the legs of the table, cords (2) that allow it to be tied to each of the legs, thus managing to keep it in place on the table.

[0004] The disadvantage presented by these means of attachment is that it is necessary to attach the tablecloth to the legs of the table when it is placed in position and to proceed to untie it when the tablecloth is taken off, which slows down both processes enormously. On the other hand, attaching buckles, ribbons or cords on the underside of the tablecloth is easy when it is made of fabric, but would complicate and increase the cost of the production process enormously of paper tablecloths with elements of this type incorporated.

Description of the invention

[0005] Hence, the invention proposes to resolve the problems detected, both with clips or other devices alien to the tablecloth as well as means attached to the tablecloth for tying it to the legs of a table. Furthermore, as the means used are situated underneath the tablecloth and do not cause the same to be drawn back underneath the same, but contribute to defining the corners once positioned, and not only do they keep it on the table but also maintain the habitual shape of a tablecloth, with the skirts falling straight down and the corners well defined and slightly leaning towards one side.

[0006] The tablecloth proposed in the claims is of the type that totally covers a table, and which can be made from any of the materials habitually used in this product. To achieve the objective of being able to be attached by its owns means to the table on which it is placed, it incorporates on its lower surface, in correspondence with the corners of the table and situated in the skirts that remain outside the surface of the tabletop, on both sides of the bisector they form, additional attachment means that join the two skirts that meet at each corner, thus keeping all the corners of the table formed and joined and the tablecloth thus fitted to the tabletop.

[0007] In a preferential embodiment, these attachment means of the skirts that meet at each corner that the tablecloth forms once situated on top of the table, consist of a surface, adhered by the lower face of the tablecloth and which, presents a dry contact adhesive on the outer face which, wherein the opposing surfaces situated at each skirt come into contact with each other, they are joined together, definitively forming the corresponding corner.

[0008] A version that is more suitable for fabric tablecloths is envisaged whereby these attachment means, which join the two skirts of the tablecloth that meet at each corner consist of two additional portions of Velcro, which, when they come into contact with each other, join together, forming the corner of the tablecloth. This solution enables this join to be undone by pulling on both skirts to thus remove the tablecloth.

[0009] A solution is also envisaged whereby the tablecloth can be used on tables of different sizes, so long as the tabletop is smaller than the tablecloth. This solution is achieved by situating additional attachment means in a broad zone running all along the bisector of each corner of the tablecloth. Either of the above solutions, with adhesive or Velcro, enables this alternative.

[0010] In another embodiment, the attachment means of the two skirts that meet at each corner of the tablecloth consists of a metal strip, situated perpendicularly to the bisector formed by the skirts that meet at each corner, which is attached to the lower face of the tablecloth by means of a paper strip adhered to the same; whereby, by folding said strip in on itself, the form of the corner of the tablecloth is maintained.

[0011] In another alternative embodiment, intended for fabric tablecloths, the attachment means for the skirts consist of two additional clasps situated opposing each other, whereby, by joining the opposing surfaces situated at each skirt, they are joined together, forming a corner in the tablecloth.

[0012] In another embodiment, these attachment means consist of a deformable strip, which has a first zone, through which the tablecloth is attached by means of an adhesive, in the zone situated in correspondence with the corner of the tabletop. This zone extends towards the skirts and the corner of the tabletop, but, at least peripherally, is not joined to the tablecloth; so that, once placed in position on top of the table, this part of the strip can be folded and creased underneath the tabletop, thus remaining attached to it, allowing the tablecloth to fall naturally, defining the habitual skirts and corners.

[0013] The tablecloths of the invention are intended for tables placed on terraces or in the open air, wherein the wind tends to lift them and, when made of paper, carry them away in the air; nowadays, this type of table is very standardised, both in thickness and dimensions, it therefore being sufficient to manufacture tablecloth models that exist currently and incorporate these attachment means thereinto. The manufacture of any of these attachment means is very simple and barely increases the manufacturing cost of the tablecloth.

Description of the drawings

[0014] To supplement the description that is being made, and for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, this description is accompanied by a set of drawings wherein, for illustrative purposes, and in a non-limiting way, the following has been represented:

• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tablecloth provided with the means for attaching to a table (3).
• Figure 2 represents an overview from a point below a tablecloth with these characteristics.
• Figure 3 represents a perspective view from a point below a tablecloth embodied according to the invention, with several corners formed and joined and another that is about to be joined.
• Figures 4 and 5 show overviews from a point below both alternative embodiments of a tablecloth endowed with the means for attaching to a table.
• Figures 6, 7 and 8 show plan views, a detail and a perspective of an alternative embodiment of a tablecloth endowed with the means for attaching to a table.
• Figure 9 represents a plan view of an embodiment wherein the join is accomplished by means of clasps.
• Figures 10 and 11 show plan views and a perspective of a tablecloth provided with the means for attaching to a table.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0015] As can be seen in the figures, the invention refers to a tablecloth (1) that includes the means for attaching to a table (3), which has, as the only constructive condition the fact that it has to be big enough to completely cover the table, forming skirts (12) laterally, at the sides of the zone (11) that covers the table (3) and corners (13) where the two skirts meet (12); however, no limitation exists with respect to the material used, which may be of any of those habitually used in the manufacture of this product, which may be paper of any quality, fabric or even plastic.

[0016] The attachment means (2) to the table are always situated on the lower face of the tablecloth (1) and in a zone that corresponds to the corners of the table (3) for which it is intended; albeit, as will be seen below there is also a version for tables with table tops of different sizes. More specifically, the placing of the attachment means (2) is on both skirts (12) situated on both sides of each corner (13) that the tablecloth (1) forms when placed on the table, in the zone proximate to the corners formed by the surface (1 1) of the tablecloth covering the table. These attachment means (2) that join both skirts (12), that meet at each corner (13), are complementary to each other, thereby keeping all the corners (13) of the two skirts (12) of the tablecloth that meet at each corner (13) formed and joined such that the same remains fitted to the tabletop.

[0017] In the embodiment seen in figures 2 and 3, the additional attachment means (2) that join the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) consist of a surface (2a), adhered by the lower face of the tablecloth which, on its outer side is impregnated with a dry contact adhesive such that, when the opposing surfaces situated at each skirt (12) come into contact, they are joined together, forming the corresponding corner (13). (See figure 3)

[0018] In figure 5, a solution for fabric tablecloths is seen, whereby the attachment means between the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) consist of two additional portions of Velcro (21, 22), which, when they come into contact with each other, join together, forming the corresponding corner (13).

[0019] Figure 4 shows additional attachment means (2) that are situated in a broad zone running all along the bisector of each corner of the tablecloth; such that the same tablecloth (1) may be used for various sizes of table of the same model, since it is sufficient to join the part that protrudes beyond the corners that remain beyond the part (1 1) that covers the table, joining the two skirts (12) that meet at the corner (13) of the tablecloth (1), to form this definitively. This alternative is also valid for fabric tablecloths, such as the one shown in figure 5 and it would be sufficient to place longer strips of Velcro on both sides of the bisectors of the tablecloth.

[0020] In figures 6, 7 and 8, an alternative embodiment is shown for the above-mentioned attachment means (2) that join the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1), once placed in position on the table. In this case, they consist of a metal strip (2b), situated perpendicularly to the bisector formed by the two skirts (12) that meet at one corner, which, once folded in on itself, keeps the form of the corner (13) of the tablecloth. Said metal strip (2b), is attached to the lower face of the tablecloth (1) by means of another strip of paper (2c) adhered to the same, positioned on top of the metal strip (2b).

[0021] Figure 9 shows a tablecloth wherein the attachment means that join the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the same consist of two additional clasps (2d, 2e), on both sides of the bisector formed by the two skirts (12), which, when the opposing surfaces of the same are brought together, couple together, resulting in the corresponding corner (13) of the tablecloth.

[0022] In figures 10 and 11, the additional attachment means (2) that join the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) consist of a deformable strip, which presents a first zone (2f) through which the tablecloth (1) is adhered at least in the zone (11) that covers the table, that is proximate to each corner of the table top. This zone extends towards the skirts and the corner of the tablecloth, defining a second zone (2g), not adhered to the tablecloth, which, once the tablecloth (1) is placed in position on top of the table, folds and creases underneath the table top, thus remaining attached to it, allowing, however, the tablecloth to fall naturally, forming the habitual skirts and corners. The breadth of the zone (2f) that is adhered to the tablecloth (1) in a preferential embodiment, also covers part of the skirts (12) and/or the corner (13), such that it also serves to form the tablecloth at the corners, pulling on the skirts and pulling them downwards.

[0023] Once the nature of the invention has been sufficiently described, as well an example of a preferential embodiment, it is worth stating for the appropriate ends, that the materials, form size and disposition of the elements described can be modified, so long as it does not involve an alteration to the essential characteristics of the invention that are claimed below.

Claims

1. A tablecloth including means for attaching to a table, of the type that fully covers a table, and which can be made of any of the materials usually used in this product, characterised in that it comprises on the lower face thereof, in correspondence with the corners of the table (3) and situated on either side of each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) in the area of the same defining the skirts (12) of the tablecloth that protrude beyond the surface (1 1) that covers the table when placed in position, attachment means (2) joining both skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13), thereby keeping all the corners of the table and the tablecloth (1) fitted to the table top formed and joined.

2. A tablecloth according to claim 1, characterised in that the attachment means (2) joining the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) consist of a surface (2a), adhered by the lower face of the tablecloth, the outer face of which is impregnated with a dry contact adhesive, which forms additional means that, when the opposing surfaces situated on each corner (12) are brought together, remain joined together forming the corresponding corner (13) of the tablecloth.

3. A tablecloth according to claim 1, characterised in that the attachment means (2) joining the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) consist of two additional portions of Velcro (21, 22), situated at the bisector formed by two skirts (12) that meet at a corner that, upon entering into contact with one another, are joined, forming the corresponding corner (13) of the tablecloth.

4. A tablecloth according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the additional attachment means (2) joining the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) are situated in a broad area running all along the bisector of each corner of the tablecloth.

5. A tablecloth according to claim 1, characterised in that the attachment means (2) joining the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) consist of a metal strip (2b), situated perpendicularly to the bisector formed by the two skirts (12) that meet at one corner which, once folded in on itself, keeps the shape of the corner (13) of the tablecloth.

6. A tablecloth according to claim 5, characterised in that the metal strip (2b), situated perpendicularly to the bisector formed by the two skirts (12) that meet at one corner, is attached to the lower face of the tablecloth (1) by means of another paper strip (2c) adhered to the same, positioned above the metal strip (2b).

7. A tablecloth according to claim 1, characterised in that the attachment means (2) joining the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) consist of two additional clasps (2d, 2e) on both sides of the bisector formed by two appended skirts (12), which couple together when the opposing surfaces of the same enter into contact, resulting in the corner (13) of the tablecloth.

8. A tablecloth according to claim 1, characterised in that the attachment means (2) joining the two skirts (12) that meet at each corner (13) of the tablecloth (1) consist of a deformable strip, which has a first area (2f) through which the tablecloth (1) is adhered, this area (2f) covering at least the corner (1 1) of the tablecloth when it covers the table, this strip extending on one surface (2g), not adhered to the tablecloth (1) which, once the tablecloth is placed in position on top of the table, is subject to being folded and creased underneath the table top.

9. A tablecloth according to claim 8, characterised in that the breadth of the area (2f) that is adhered to the tablecloth (1) also covers part of the skirts (12) and/or the corner (13).

Drawing