Two-piece structure including a blow-molded plastic portion

Abstract

A structure such as a table-tennis top or a table top may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be constructed from blow-molded plastic and include a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process. The first portion may also have a first set of characteristics such as lightweight. The second portion may be attached to the first portion and the second portion preferably has a second set of characteristics that are different than the first set of characteristics of the first portion. For example, the second portion may have increased mass relative to the first portion. The different characteristics may allow a structure such as a table-tennis top or table top to be constructed with desired characteristics.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 579,590, filed Jun. 14, 2004. This application also claims priority to and the benefit of United States provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 579,338, filed Jun. 14, 2004. These applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to blow-molded plastic structures and, in particular, to two-piece blow-molded plastic structures. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] It is known to make a variety of structures from blow-molded plastic. For example, it is known to construct bases for portable basketball systems and table tops from blow-molded plastic. In particular, it is known to use blow-molded plastic to create table tops for utility-type tables. Utility tables are typically about six to eight feet in length and about two to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] A need therefore exists for a structure that eliminates the above-described and / or other disadvantages and problems.

[0011] One aspect is a structure, such as a table-tennis top, that may include two or more components and the components may have different characteristics. Preferably the structure is designed and configured to maximize particular characteristics of the different components. For example, the characteristics of one component may include lightweight and the characteristics of another component may be high-strength and / or rigidity. Thus, the structure may be designed to maximize the lightweight characteristics of the one component and the high-strength characteristics of the other component.

Problems solved by technology

It is known to construct conventional utility tables from relatively heavy materials such as wood or metal, which may make the tables heavy and difficult to move.

Disadvantageously, many of these conventional tables are not very strong and are unable to support a desired amount of weight.

Unfortunately, the thicker and heavier table tops further increase the weight of the tables.

As a result, many conventional tables with wooden table tops are undesirably heavy, and two or more people are often required to move the tables.

Further, heavier tables can increase shipping costs for manufacturers, retailers, and customers.

Disadvantageously, these lightweight table tops frequently require reinforcing members or other structural parts such as frames, railings, brackets and the like to strengthen the table top.

These additional parts may increase the strength of the table top, but these additional parts also increase the weight of the table.

In addition, these additional parts increase manufacturing costs and require additional time to assemble the table.

Furthermore, these additional parts may have sharp edges that can injure the user's legs, arms or other body parts.

Disadvantageously, many conventional table-tennis tables are not very strong and unable to support a large amount of weight.

This, however, may undesirably increase the weight of the table-tennis table and make the table more difficult to move and store.

The additional weight may also increase the costs to ship and transport the table-tennis table.

The large size of conventional table-tennis tables may also make the tables more expensive to ship and transport.

In addition, many conventional table-tennis tables are designed to be moved because most people are unable to dedicate a large area for playing ping-pong.

Because table-tennis tables are quite large, bulky and require a large amount of storage space, the tables are often stored in garages, on patios and in other areas that are more susceptible to various weather conditions such as heat, cold, sunlight, rain, snow and the like.

Unfortunately, these weather conditions can often warp or otherwise damage conventional table-tennis tables.

Further, because the blow-molded table-tennis top may be relatively strong, it can be used to support a relatively large amount of weight.

In addition, because a hollow interior portion may be formed during the blow-molding process, the table-tennis top may be lightweight.

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