This invention relates to the field of furniture. More particularly, this invention relates to a picnic table having table supports and seat supports that may be collapsed and then folded against the tabletop.
Banquet and utility tables having collapsible legs are well known. Conventional collapsible tables typically have a use configuration and a storage configuration. In the use configuration, a pair of collapsible legs is folded downwards from the tabletop and are placed onto a ground surface to support the tabletop in a raised position. In the storage configuration, the collapsible legs are folded underneath the tabletop. Typically, separate chairs are used in connection with collapsible tables to provide seating for users. On the other hand, bench seating is provided with picnic tables and separate chairs are not required. Conventional collapsible picnic tables function in a similar manner to collapsible banquet tables and, in the storage position, the collapsible legs are folded beneath the tabletop. Having seating already provided by a picnic table is a convenience, but the seating is not typically not folded beneath the table in the stored position. For this reason, collapsible picnic tables are typically much larger and more difficult to transport and store than collapsible banquet tables, even in a storage configuration.
What is needed, therefore, is a collapsible picnic table that may be folded to a storage configuration having a reduced footprint that is similar in size to collapsible banquet tables and is convenient for storage and transport.
The above and other needs are met by a collapsible picnic table comprising a tabletop and first and second table supports that are operable to move between a use position and a storage position. The first and second table supports each have table attachment portions and table foot portions. The table attachment portions are pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop and configured rotate in a first rotational direction between the use position and storage position. In the use position, the first and second table supports extend downward from the bottom surface of the tabletop. In the storage position, the first and second table supports are disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the tabletop. The table foot portions are spaced apart from the table attachment portions and are operable to contact a ground surface when the first and second table supports are in the use position. The table foot portions disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the tabletop when the first and second table supports are in the storage position.
The table includes a first seat and a pair of spaced apart first seat supports that are operable to move between the use position, an intermediate position, and the storage position. Each first seat support includes first seat attachment portions and first seat foot portions. The first seat attachment portions are pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the first seat and are configured to rotate in conjunction with the table attachment portions in the first rotational direction between the use position in which the first seat supports extend downward from the bottom surface of the first seat, and the intermediate position in which the first seat supports are disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the first seat. The first seat foot portions are spaced apart from the first seat attachment portions and are operable to contact the ground surface when the first seat supports are in the use position, and are disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the first seat when the first seat supports are in the intermediate position.
Each first seat foot portion is pivotally attached to a corresponding one of the table foot portions, and is configured to rotate by 180 degrees in a second rotational direction that is orthogonal to the first rotational direction. Each first seat foot portion is operable to rotate from the intermediate position, in which the first seat attachment portions are spaced apart from the table attachment portions, to the storage position, in which the first seat attachment portions are disposed adjacent the table attachment portions and the bottom surface of the first seat faces the bottom surface of the tabletop.
In some embodiments, the collapsible picnic table includes a second seat and a pair of second seat supports that operate in substantially the same manner as the first seat and first seat supports.
In some embodiments, each first seat support comprises a length-adjustable shaft for raising and lowering the first seat, and a latch for selectively securing the shaft in either a first or second vertical position.
In some embodiments, the length adjustable shaft comprises a first shaft member telescopically positioned within a second shaft member, and the latch comprises a spring-biased detent disposed on the first shaft member configured to selectively engage each one of at least two openings disposed in the second shaft member.
In some embodiments, the top surface of the first seat is substantially co-planar with the top surface of the tabletop when the shaft is secured in the first vertical position.
In some embodiments, each of the first and second table supports is X-shaped.
In some embodiments, the table includes opposing first and second side rails that are attached to the bottom surface of the tabletop, wherein each of the first and second table supports is pivotally attached between the first and second side rails.
In some embodiments, the table includes end supports that are fixedly attached between the first and second side rails and disposed proximate opposing ends of the tabletop. The table attachment portions of each of the first and second table supports are pivotally attached to a corresponding one of the end supports.
In some embodiments, the table includes a center support that is fixedly attached between and perpendicular to the first and second side rails.
In some embodiments, the center support includes first and second center support members. The first center support member has a first outer end that is attached to the first side rail at a position that is laterally offset from a center of the tabletop in a third direction. The second center support member has a second outer end that is attached to the second side rail at a position that is laterally offset from the center of the tabletop in a fourth direction that is opposite the third direction. The first center support member includes a first inner end that is joined to the second center support member at a position that is laterally offset in the fourth direction from the center of the tabletop. The second center support includes a second inner end that is joined to the first center support member at a position that is laterally offset in the third direction from the center of the tabletop. In this configuration, an opening is formed between the first and second inner ends of the first and second center support members.
In some embodiments, an aperture is provided in the tabletop that aligns with the opening formed by the first and second inner ends of the first and second center support members.
In some embodiments, the table includes a first collapsible support arm that pivotally connects the first center support member to the first table support, and a second collapsible support arm that pivotally connects the second center support member to the second table support.
In some embodiments, the table includes pivotal tabletop connections, pivotal seat connections, and pivotal foot connections. The pivotal tabletop connections rotatably connect the table attachment portions of the first and second table supports to the bottom surface of the tabletop. The pivotal seat connections connect the first seat attachment portions of the first seat supports to the bottom surface of the first seat, wherein the pivotal seat connections are configured to rotate in the first rotational direction in conjunction with the pivotal tabletop connections. The pivotal foot connections connect the table foot portions of the first and second table supports to the first seat foot portions of the first seat supports. The pivotal foot connections are configured to rotate in the second rotational direction.
Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
As shown in the figures, a preferred embodiment of a collapsible picnic table 100 includes a tabletop 102 having a top surface 104 and a bottom surface 106. Preferably, the tabletop 102 is formed from blow-molded plastic. As shown in
A center support 142, which is fixedly attached between the first and second side rails 132a-132b, includes a first center support member 144 having a first outer end 145 that is attached to the first side rail 132a at a position that is laterally offset from a lateral centerline of the tabletop 102 in the direction indicated by the arrow A (also referred to herein as the third direction) as shown in
With reference to
In preferred embodiments, the pivotal tabletop connections 130 pivotally connect the first and second table supports 108a-108b to the end support rails 134 between the first and second side rails 132a-132b. In one embodiment, a top bar 136 extends between the upper ends of each of the first and second table supports 108a-108b, which bar 136 is rotatably attached between a pair of tabs 138 (see
With reference to
The table 100 includes first and second seats 110a and 110b, located on opposing sides of the tabletop 102, each having a top surface 112 and a bottom surface 114. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second seats 110a-110b are formed from blow-molded plastic. As shown in
In some embodiments, a center rail 162 is positioned between and in parallel with the side rails 158. The center rail 162 is fixedly attached to the braces 160 to provide further rigidity to the first and second seats 110a-110b.
With reference to
In a preferred embodiment, the first and second seat supports 116a-116b are pivotally attached to end braces 160 on the bottoms of the first and second seats 110a-110b via the pivotal seat connections 164. In one embodiment, a top bar 168 is disposed at a top end of each of the first and second seat supports 116a-116b, which is rotatably attached between a pair of tabs 170 that extend downward from the end braces 160. Fastener rods 172 pass through openings in the tabs 170 and are secured in corresponding openings formed at either end of the top bars 168. As discussed in more detail hereinafter, the first and second seat supports 116a-116b and the first and second table supports 108a-108b are joined together such that they move simultaneously and in the same direction from the use position to the storage position, and vice versa.
As shown in
As discussed above, the table 100 has a use position (
As shown in
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3276815 | Cardy | Oct 1966 | A |
3574393 | Hughes | Apr 1971 | A |
6347831 | Nye | Feb 2002 | B1 |
7735915 | Nye | Jun 2010 | B2 |
20040070235 | Gregory | Apr 2004 | A1 |