Infinitely Positional Umbrella Pole Table

Abstract

The infinitely positional umbrella pole table on an umbrella pole includes a fabric table (spring action open form or closed collapsed form). Frame struts support the fabric with support struts forcing frame struts upward in spring action. Table moves on pole by upper and lower couplers. One coupler carries a pole lock. Frame struts are pivotally coupled to one coupler and distally extend out the fabric. Support struts are pivotally coupled to other coupler and distally pivotally coupled to frame struts. When lock open, table moves to infinite vertical positions whether table is in open or collapsed form. When locked, movement of non-locked coupler with respect to locked coupler causes open or closure of fabric table. Table may have collapsible cup.

Description

The present invention relates to an infinitely positional umbrella pole table which, in one embodiment, includes the pole, the attached umbrella, and an infinitely positional table on the umbrella pole table. In another related embodiment, the infinitely positional table is adapted to be mounted on the pole with the attached umbrella.

BACKGROUND

Pole with umbrellas are widely used on beaches and picnic grounds to provide shade to users. These umbrella poles sometimes have an enlarged screw element at the lower terminus of the pole to enable the use to bury the pole end into the sand or ground. Since the condition of the sand or ground is generally unknown to the use when planting the pole in the ground, the height of the umbrella at the top of the pole varies dependent upon the stabilizing conditions below the ground plane. Stated otherwise, when the ground is relatively compact, the lower pole end does not need to be deeply buried in the ground. Hence, the umbrella is high above the ground. When the below ground conditions are not compact but loose, the user typically buries the pole end deeper in the ground which translated into a lower height position of the umbrella.

In these situations, if the user wishes to have a small collapsible table on the umbrella pole, the table's vertical position on the pole is typically fixed in prior art systems. See disclosures in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,706,834; 2,039,805; 7,207,450; 7,007,703; 6,487,977; 4,920,897 and 5,197,394 and also published U.S. application 2002/0036008. Therefore, the vertical height of the table cannot be adjusted due to the changeable depth of the lower end of the umbrella pole. Also, it is typical that after the initial placement of the umbrella pole in the ground, when there is a gust of wind, the stability of the pole changes. When the pole is less stable, the user must force the lower pole end deeper in ground, thereby changing the vertical height of the pole table.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an infinitely positional umbrella pole table on an umbrella pole, thereby permitting the user to adjust the height of the deployed table whenever needed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spring loaded umbrella pole table.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide the user with the ability to raise the umbrella pole table into the shade zone of the umbrella as needed (such as when the table holds drinks or other items adversely effected by direct sunlight).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The infinitely positional umbrella pole table set-up includes an elongated umbrella pole with an umbrella at its upper end and a lower terminus or lower end which is buried in the sand or ground. Typically, the pole has a screw end to assist the person burying the lower end of the pole in the ground. Although described in connection with a pole carrying an umbrella at its top end, the infinitely positional umbrella pole table may be sold separately apart from the umbrella pole, that is, as an add-on to the umbrella/pole sub-set. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table includes a flexible, foldable fabric (the term “fabric” referring to a material that resembles cloth) having an open deployed table form and a closed collapsed form.

A frame supports the fabric. The pole table includes upper and lower couplers banding or gridling the pole. These upper and lower couplers are movable on and infinitely positional on the pole. The frame has an upper framework with a plurality of table frame struts. Each frame strut is proximally pivotally coupled to the upper coupler and distally coupled to table forming edge elements of the fabric. The term “proximally” refers to items closer to the pole and the term “distally” refers to items further away from the pole. Also, the term “longitudinally” refers to items in parallel planes defined by the plane along the centerline of the elongated pole and the term “laterally” refers to items substantially normal or perpendicular to the plane defined by the elongated pole. Therefore, the table laterally extends away from the pole in its OPEN condition or form and the table can be longitudinally positioned in substantially an infinite number of vertical positions on the pole. In its CLOSED or COLLAPSED condition or form, the fabric table is adjacent the pole.

The frame has a plurality of support struts proximally pivotally coupled to the lower coupler and distally pivotally coupled to the table frame struts. Each respective support strut is pivotally coupled to a corresponding frame strut. Preferably, the support strut—table frame strut pivotal connection is substantially near or at the midpoint of the table frame strut.

A binding lock is provided on either the upper or the lower coupler to lock the frame on the pole. This binding lock has an OPEN wherein the table (which may be either in the OPEN or COLLAPSED form) can be moved to an infinite number of vertical positions on the pole. In a LOCKED condition if the binder lock is on the lower coupler, the upper coupler can be moved upward away from the lower coupler and the table frame then collapses the fabric formed table due to the support structs pulling on the upwardly moving table frame struts. In a LOCKED condition if the binder lock is on the upper coupler, the lower coupler can be moved downward away from the upper coupler and the table frame then collapses the fabric formed table due to the support structs pulling away table frame struts which are proximally vertically fixed by the locked upper coupler.

In in the OPEN table form, the upper framework maintains the fabric table laterally away from the pole by spring action because the table frame has upward forces applied to it by the respective support struts acting to push the table frame struts upward. The lateral span of the fabric table is smaller than the lateral span of the table frame struts, causing a snap open table condition. In the closed COLLAPSED form, all spring actions by the support struts on the frame struts is removed and the fabric laterally falls towards the pole. In the collapsed position, the table frame struts are substantially parallel to the pole.

In either the open table form or the closed collapsed form, the fabric table and frame is adapted to be (a) infinitely positional on the pole when the binding lock is OPEN and (b) vertically stabilized on the pole when the binding lock is LOCKED.

The fabric may be cloth or plastic in a further enhancement of the infinitely positional umbrella pole table. Also, the fabric may have a depending mesh fabric cup or a collapsible cup (collapsible to form a compact shape when the table fabric is adjacent the pole in a collapsed condition. The upper and lower couplers confine the pole while allowing a degree of movement thereon. Each support strut is distally pivotally coupled to a corresponding table frame strut substantially at the corresponding frame strut's midpoint. The binding lock may be a friction compression lock and may be on either the lower coupler or the upper coupler. The table forming edge elements of the fabric are disposed on a periphery of the fabric such that the distal ends of the table frame struts grasps a cloth loop or partly closed seam at the fabric's periphery. The upper and lower couplers confine the pole while allowing a degree of movement thereabout.

In another embodiment, the plurality of table frame struts (these struts forming the table framework) are proximally pivotally coupled to the lower coupler and distally coupled to table forming edge elements of the fabric. The support struts are proximally pivotally coupled to the upper coupler and distally pivotally coupled to the table frame struts. This support-to-table frame strut connection may require a small hole in the laterally disposed table. The binding lock is disposed on either the upper or the lower coupler to lock the frame on the pole having an OPEN and a LOCKED condition. In the open table form, the upper framework maintains the fabric by spring action as a table due to downward forces applied by the support struts on the table frame struts. In the closed collapsed form, all spring action by the support struts on the frame struts is removed, the fabric table collapses due to the vertical displacement of the non-lock upper or lower couplers and in such collapsed form, the fabric is adapted to be adjacent the pole. In either the open table form or the closed collapsed form the fabric and frame is adapted to be (a) infinitely positional on the pole when the binding lock is OPEN and (b) vertically stabilized on the pole when the binding lock is LOCKED.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the detailed description of the embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates an infinitely positional umbrella pole table on an umbrella pole in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the infinitely positional umbrella pole table in a collapsed position about the umbrella pole.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates variable vertical positions of the infinitely positional umbrella pole table on the umbrella pole.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates an underside, perspective view of the infinitely positional umbrella pole table in an open table position on the umbrella pole (the fabric table spring tight open on the pole).

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a partial, underside, perspective view of the umbrella pole table in a midway, collapsed position on the umbrella pole (the fully collapsed position shown in FIG. 2).

FIGS. 6A and 6B diagrammatically illustrate one binding lock system for the umbrella pole table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to and infinitely positional umbrella pole table system and, more precisely an unique umbrella pole table movably mounted on an umbrella pole. In the figures, similar numerals designate similar items.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates an infinitely positional umbrella pole table on an umbrella pole in accordance with one of the several embodiments of the present invention. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table system or set-up 10 includes an elongated umbrella pole 12 with an umbrella 14 at its upper end 16. At the pole's lower end or lower terminus 18, a screw element 19, or another structure 19 used to assist the user to bury the pole, is defined by the lower pole end 18. The lower end 18 of pole 12 is adopted to be buried in the sand or ground 20 by the user. Line 20 indicates the ground plane for umbrella pole table set 10.

Table 30 includes a flexible, foldable fabric 32. The term “fabric” refers to material, such as plastic or cloth that resembles cloth. In FIG. 1, the umbrella pole is in an open or deployed table form 37. In FIG. 2, umbrella pole table 30 is in a closed or collapsed table form 39. Frame 40 supports fabric 32. As described later in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5, frame 40 cooperates with upper and lower couplers that are movably mounted on pole 12.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the infinitely positional umbrella pole table in a collapsed position 39 about umbrella pole 12. In the collapsed form, frame 40 and fabric 32 are collapsed and are generally adjacent pole 12. Stated otherwise, the table fabric 32 and frame 40 close in a series of parallel planes with respect to pole 12.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates variable vertical positions of the infinitely positional umbrella pole table. In FIG. 3, plane B′-B″ represents the original ground plane 20 shown in FIG. 1. However, in FIG. 3, pole 12 has been further buried below the ground plane. As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3, table 30 is very close to ground plane 20 and is spaced vertically above ground 20 by distance C. If the user desires to raise umbrella pole table 30, the lock (described in connection with FIGS. 4-6A and 6B) is placed in an open or unlocked condition and table 30 is moved upward on the pole. This higher position is shown in the phantom lines as table 30A which is a distance D above ground plane 20. Of course, the umbrella pole table could be moved vertically upward near the pole control or lock 11 or downward to ground plane 20. These vertical movements of umbrella pole table 30 can be accomplished when table 30 is in a fully deployed table form 37 or a closed collapsed form 39. In this manner, the table 30 is infinitely positional on the umbrella pole.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates an underside, perspective view of the infinitely positional umbrella pole table in an open table position on umbrella pole 12. In this open or fully deployed table form 37, fabric 32 of umbrella pole table 30 is spring tight open on frame 40. FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a partial, underside, perspective view of the umbrella pole table in a midway, collapsed position (partly collapsed table form 39) on the umbrella pole. The fully collapsed position or table form 39 is shown in FIG. 2. FIGS. 4 and 5 are generally discussed concurrently herein.

Frame 40 supports table fabric 32. The frame is generally movably mounted on pole 12 by an upper coupler 50 and a lower coupler 51. These couplers 50, 51 band the pole 12. The banding of the pole by couplers 50, 51 confines or restricts pole 12 while allowing for a degree of movement by girdling the pole. Frame 40 has an upper framework 42 defined in this embodiment as a plurality of table frames struts 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d. It should be noted that upper framework 40 may include framework having different strut combination than the four table frames struts shown in the figures. It is believed that at least three table frame struts are needed to reasonably support table fabric 32.

Each frame strut is proximately pivotally coupled to the upper coupler 50 (proximal being closer to the pole as compared to elements more distal or spaced farther away from the pole). As an illustration, table frame strut 42b is pivotally coupled at pivot couple point 41 to upper coupler 50. This pivotal coupling 41 is proximal or close to pole 12. The distal end 43b of table frame strut 42b is coupled to table forming edge 90b of table fabric 32. These table forming edges 90a, 90b, 90c, and 90d form the edges of the umbrella pole table 30 and these edges are elements of table fabric 32. The table forming edges 90a, b, c, and d are respectively associated with the distal ends of table frames struts 42a, b, c, and d. It should be noted that the fabric table may have peripheral fabric end regions which extend beyond table forming edges 90a, b, c, and d and these peripheral extensions would simply fall substantially vertically downward to form some type of table cloth overhang for table 30. In a current embodiment, the distal end 43b of each table frame strut is placed in a fabric loop or cavity 91 formed in the fabric 32. As shown, all the frame struts fix the fabric 32 in the same manner.

Frame 40 also includes a plurality of support struts 44a, b, c, and d, which are proximately pivotally coupled to the lower coupling 51. For example, in connection with support strut 44b, pivotal coupler 61 is diagrammatically illustrated as being movably coupled to lower coupler 51. The distal ends (see end 76 of strut 44b) of the support struts are distally pivotally coupled to respective table frames struts 42a, b, c, and d. For example, distal pivotal coupling 76 for support strut 44b is shown associated with table frame strut 42b. Each respective table frame strut 42a, b, c, and d, is associated with a corresponding support strut 44a, b, c, and d. The proximal ends of the support struts are pivotally connected to the lower coupler 51 and the distal ends are pivotally coupled to the table frame struts.

Preferably, the support strut—table frame strut pivotal connection is substantially near or at the midpoint of the table frame strut. However, the distal support frame pivot couplers may be at other locations on the frame struts.

FIG. 4 also illustrates a collapsible cup 110 (shown as a mesh cup) as part of the umbrella pole table 30. Multiple cups may be formed in the table 30. FIG. 4 also diagrammatically shows a binding lock 54 on the lower coupling 51. The binding lock permits the user to bind and lock the table 30 to the pole 12. However, lock 54 could also be disposed on upper coupling 50. If positioned on upper coupling 50, the lock is either placed or disposed above the plane defined by umbrella pole table 30 (above fabric 32) or below fabric 32 of table 30.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a partial, underside, perspective view of a partly collapsed umbrella pole table. The fully collapsed table form 39 is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, fabric table 32 has a seam 31 about its periphery. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, binding lock 54 is in a locked position such that when the user moves table frame struts 42a, b, c, and d upward, as shown by arrow 212, vertically away from locked binding lock 54, the table 30 collapses. The support struts 44a, b, c, and d, being vertically fixed by lower coupler 51, pull down the table frame struts 42a, b, c, and d when the upper coupler 50 is moved upward thereby releasing the spring-loaded, fully open, condition of fabric table 32 which condition 37 is shown in FIG. 4. The upper coupler 50 is moved in direction 212 away from locked lower coupler 51 to fully collapse the fabric table 32 about pole 12.

The binding lock 54 is provided on either the upper or the lower coupler 50, 51 to lock the frame 40 on the pole 12. The binding lock has an OPEN-UNLOCKED condition wherein the table (which OPEN-UNLOCKED condition may be activated either in the OPEN table condition 37 (FIG. 4) or the COLLAPSED table form 39 (FIGS. 2, 5) which permits the table 30 to be moved to an infinite number of vertical positions on the pole 12 (see FIG. 3). In a LOCKED condition, if the binder lock 54 is on the lower coupler 51, the upper coupler 50 can be moved upward away from the lower coupler (direction 212) and the table frame 40 then collapses the fabric formed table 32 due to the support struts (see strut 44a) pulling on the upwardly moving table frame struts 42a, b, c, d. In a LOCKED condition, if the binder lock 54 is on the upper coupler 50, the lower coupler 51 can be moved downward (opposite arrow 212) away from the upper coupler 50 and the table frame 40 then collapses the fabric formed table 32 due to the support structs (see 44b) pulling downward away table frame struts (see 42b) which frame struts are proximally vertically fixed by the locked upper coupler 50.

In in the OPEN table form 37 (FIG. 4), the upper framework 40 maintains the fabric table 32 laterally away from the pole 12 by spring action because the table frame struts 42a, b, c, d have upward forces applied to them by the respective support struts 44a, b, c, d acting to push up the table frame struts upward (shown as arrows 71a, b, c, d in FIG. 4). The lateral span of the fabric table 32 is smaller than the lateral span of the table frame struts 42a, b, c, d, causing a snap open, spring action table condition. In the closed COLLAPSED form (FIGS. 2, 5), all spring actions by the support struts 44a, b, c, d on the frame struts 42a, b, c, d are removed and the fabric 32 laterally falls towards the pole 12. In the collapsed position, the table frame struts are substantially parallel to the pole.

In either the open table form 37 (FIG. 4) or the closed collapsed form 39 (FIG. 5), the fabric table 32 and frame 40 is adapted to be (a) infinitely positional on the pole when the binding lock is OPEN or UNOCKED (FIG. 3) or (b) vertically stabilized on the pole when the binding lock is LOCKED (FIGS. 1, 4).

FIGS. 6a and 6b diagrammatically illustrate one embodiment of the binding lock system 54 for the umbrella pole table. FIG. 6a shows user actuation lever 56 which pivots about centerline A′-A″. In the closed, locked position of FIG. 6B, user actuation surface 56 has been placed at an inboard or laterally closed position such that inboard detent 58 presses against pole 12. “Inboard” refers to items closer to pole 12. This locks the coupler to the pole. When user actuation surface 56 is moved laterally away from or outboard of the pole as shown by arrow 115, detent 58 no longer interacts with a friction fit on pole surface 12 thereby permitting the binding lock 54 to be OPEN and the coupler to be moved with respect to pole 12. Although FIG. 6b shows that the binding lock 54 is carried on lower coupling 51, binding lock 54 could be positioned on upper coupler 50. Other lock designs may be employed to achieve a locking action of the lock on the pole 12.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An infinitely positional umbrella pole table comprising: an elongated umbrella pole with an umbrella at its upper end and a lower terminus adapted to be buried in sand or ground;a flexible, foldable fabric having an open deployed table form and a closed collapsed form, the foldable fabric having table forming edges which define respective lateral spans of the table in the open deployed table form;a frame supporting the fabric;upper and lower couplers banding the pole, the upper and lower couplers movable on and infinitely positional on the pole;the frame having an upper framework with a plurality of table frame struts, each frame strut proximally pivotally coupled to the upper coupler and distally coupled to the table forming edges of the fabric, each frame strut having a longer length than a respective lateral span of the table defined by the table forming edges;the frame having a plurality of support struts proximally pivotally coupled to the lower coupler and distally pivotally coupled to the table frame struts, a respective support strut pivotally coupled to a corresponding frame strut;a binding lock on either the upper or the lower coupler to lock the frame on the pole having an OPEN and a LOCKED condition;whereby in the open table form, the upper framework maintains the fabric in an open state by spring action as a table due to upward forces applied by the support struts on the table frame struts forcing the fabric, in the open table form, to snap open due to the longer frame strut length forced into a smaller respective lateral span of a corresponding table forming edge by the upward force of the support strut, and in the closed collapsed form all spring action by the support struts on the frame struts is removed; andwhereby in either the open table form or the closed collapsed form the fabric and frame is adapted to be (a) infinitely positional on the pole when the binding lock is OPEN and (b) vertically stabilized on the pole when the binding lock is LOCKED.

2. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fabric is cloth or plastic.

3. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fabric has a depending mesh fabric cup.

4. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper and lower couplers confine the pole while allowing a degree of movement thereabout.

5. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 1 wherein each support strut is distally pivotally coupled to a corresponding table frame strut substantially at the corresponding frame strut's midpoint.

6. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the binding lock is a friction compression lock.

7. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the binding lock is on the lower coupler.

8. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 1 wherein the table forming edge elements of the fabric are disposed on a periphery of the fabric.

9. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 2 wherein the upper and lower couplers confine the pole while allowing a degree of movement thereabout.

10. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 9 wherein each support strut is distally pivotally coupled to a corresponding table frame strut substantially at the corresponding frame strut's midpoint.

11. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 10 wherein the binding lock is a friction compression lock.

12. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 11 wherein the binding lock is on the lower coupler.

13. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 12 wherein the table forming edge elements of the fabric are disposed on a periphery of the fabric and wherein the fabric has a collapsible depending cup.

14. An infinitely positional umbrella pole table comprising: an elongated umbrella pole with an umbrella at its upper end and a lower terminus adapted to be buried in sand or ground;a flexible, foldable fabric having an open deployed table form and a closed collapsed form, the foldable fabric having table forming edges which define respective lateral spans of the table in the open deployed table form;a frame supporting said fabric;upper and lower couplers banding the pole, the upper and lower couplers movable on and infinitely positional on the pole;the frame having a lower framework with a plurality of table frame struts, each frame strut proximally pivotally coupled to the lower coupler and distally coupled to the table forming edges of the fabric, each frame strut having a longer length than a respective lateral span of the table defined by the table forming edges;the frame having a plurality of support struts proximally pivotally coupled to the upper coupler and distally pivotally coupled to the table frame struts, a respective support strut pivotally coupled to a corresponding frame strut;a binding lock on either the upper or the lower coupler to lock the frame on the pole having an OPEN and a LOCKED condition;whereby in the open table form, the lower framework maintains the fabric in an open state by spring action as a table due to downward forces applied by the support struts on the table frame struts forcing the fabric, in the open table form, to snap open due to the longer frame strut length forced into a smaller respective lateral span of a corresponding table forming edge by the upward force of the support strut, and in the closed collapsed form all spring action by the support struts on the frame struts is removed; andwhereby in either the open table form or the closed collapsed form the fabric and frame is adapted to be (a) infinitely positional on the pole when the binding lock is OPEN and (b) vertically stabilized on the pole when the binding lock is LOCKED.

15. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 14 wherein each support strut is distally pivotally coupled to a corresponding table frame strut substantially at the corresponding frame strut's midpoint.

16. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 15 wherein the binding lock is a friction compression lock on the upper coupler.

17. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 14 wherein the table forming edge elements of the fabric are disposed on a periphery of the fabric.

18. The infinitely positional umbrella pole table as claimed in claim 17 wherein each support strut is distally pivotally coupled to a corresponding table frame strut substantially at the corresponding frame strut's midpoint.

19. (canceled)