Folding Table Platform for Use on a Vertical Shaft or Pole

Abstract

A platform assembly that attaches to a shaft. The platform assembly includes a hub that is mounted in a fixed position. Cradle supports extend from the hub. The cradle supports define open troughs having open tops between opposing side surfaces. Support arms are provided that are connected to the cradle supports with pivot connections. The pivot connections enable the support arms to rotate between an open position and a folded position. In the open position, each of the support arms lay flush in the open troughs. In the folded position, each of the support arms are angled away from the open trough. A flexible panel is supported by the support arms. The flexible panel is held taut in a horizontal plane when the support arms are in their open positions. The flexible panel is folded and collapsed when the support arms are moved to their folded positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A platform assembly for attachment to a vertical shaft, said assembly comprising:
 a hub affixed to said vertical shaft;   a plurality of cradle supports extending from said hub, wherein each of said plurality of cradle supports has a first end that is affixed to said hub, an open second end, a bottom surface, and two opposing side surfaces that bracket said bottom surface,   wherein said bottom surface and said opposing side surfaces define an open trough having an open top and a first width between said opposing side surfaces;   a plurality of support arms connected to said plurality of cradle supports with pivot connections, wherein said pivot connections enable each of said plurality of support arms to rotate between an open position and a folded position, wherein when in said open position each of said plurality of support arms lay flush in said open trough of said plurality of cradle supports, and wherein when in said folded position, each of said plurality of support arms are angled away from said open trough; and   a flexible panel supported by said plurality of support arms.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of support arms has a second width no greater than said first width of said open trough, therein enabling said plurality of support arms to lay within said plurality of cradle supports. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , further including protrusions on each of said plurality of cradle supports that extend into said open trough. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said protrusions are positioned a third width apart, wherein said third width is smaller than said second width of each of said plurality of support arms. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein each of said plurality of cradle supports elastically yields to enable passage of said plurality of support arms between said protrusions when said plurality of support arms are manually manipulated between said open position and said folded position with a threshold force. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of support arms are pivotably connected to said cradle supports by pivot pins that pass through said plurality of support arms and said side surfaces of said cradle supports. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said cradle supports are symmetrically disposed around said hub. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface of each of said plurality of cradle supports has an angle of inclination between forty degrees and eighty degrees with respect to a vertical plane. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of support arms hold said flexible panel taut in a horizontal plane when in said open position. 
     
     
         10 . A platform assembly for attachment to a vertical shaft, said assembly comprising:
 a shaft;   a hub disposed along said shaft;   a plurality of cradle supports extending from said hub, wherein each of said plurality of cradle supports has a first end that is affixed to said hub, an open second end, a bottom surface, and opposing side surfaces that bracket said bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface and said opposing side surfaces define an open trough of a first width between said opposing side surfaces;   a plurality of support arms connected to said plurality of cradle supports with pivot connections, wherein said pivot connections enable each of said plurality of support arms to rotate between an open position and a folded position, wherein when in said open position each of said support arms lay flush in said open trough, and wherein when in said folded position, each of said support arms are angled away from said open trough; and   a flexible panel supported by said plurality of support arms.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said plurality of support arms has a second width no greater than said first width of said open trough, therein enabling said plurality of support arms to lay within said plurality of cradle supports. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , further including protrusions on each of said plurality of support arms that extend into said open trough. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein said protrusions are positioned a third width apart, wherein said third width is smaller than said second width of each of said plurality of support arms. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein each of said plurality of cradle supports elastically yields to enable passage of said plurality of support arms between said protrusions when said plurality of support arms are manually manipulated between said open position and said folded position. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of support arms are pivotably connected to said cradle supports by pivot pins that pass through said plurality of support arms and said side surfaces of said cradle supports. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said bottom surface of each of said plurality of cradle supports has an angle of inclination between forty degrees and eighty degrees with respect to said shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of support arms hold said flexible panel taut in a horizontal plane when in said open position. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , further including a support rod that extends from said hub to said flexible panel, wherein said support rod is disposed between two of said plurality of support arms. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly according to  claim 18  wherein said plurality of support arms are affixed to said plurality of cradle supports on said hub at a first elevation along said shaft and said support rod is affixed to said hub at a different second elevation along said shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said shaft is part of an umbrella.