INTEGRATED TABLE WITH BENCHES

Abstract

A collapsible table and bench apparatus includes a collapsible frame assembly including a first frame and a second frame operatively coupled to the first frame. The first frame and the second frame are movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A table top is coupled to the first frame and defines a first surface. A bench is coupled the second frame and defines a second surface. The second surface is parallel to and nonplanar with the first surface with the first frame and the second frame in the expanded configuration.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 200720006672.9 entitled “Integrated Table with Two Benches” filed on Mar. 30, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the disclosure relates generally to collapsible or foldable furniture and, more particularly, to a collapsible or foldable, integrated table with benches.

At least one conventional furniture combination includes a table and two separate benches that are positionable with respect to the table. Each of the table and the two benches includes a collapsible support frame having two legs. However, because the benches are not coupled to the table, the user is required to manipulate each piece separately to set up or take down the furniture combination. Further, because the two benches are separate from the table, each bench may undesirably move with respect to the table when a user is seated on the bench. Moreover, the conventional furniture combination undesirably requires a large space for storage and/or transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a collapsible table and bench apparatus is provided. The collapsible table and bench apparatus includes a collapsible frame assembly including a first frame and a second frame operatively coupled to the first frame. Each of the first frame and the second frame is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A table top is coupled to the first frame and defines a first surface. A bench is coupled the second frame and defines a second surface. The second surface is parallel to and nonplanar with the first surface with the first frame and the second frame in the expanded configuration.

In another aspect, a collapsible frame assembly is provided. The collapsible frame assembly includes a first frame movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The first frame includes a plurality of first posts aligned along a first longitudinal line defined by the first frame. A first support member includes a middle segment fixedly coupled to a first post of the plurality of first posts, and a first side segment and a second side segment pivotally coupled to the middle segment. A corresponding first post of the plurality of first posts is slidably coupled to each of the first side segment and the second side segment. A second frame is integrated with the first frame. The second frame is movable with the first frame between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration configured to support a bench.

In another aspect, a collapsible frame assembly is provided. The collapsible frame assembly includes a first frame movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration configured to support a table top. The first frame includes a plurality of first posts aligned along a first longitudinal line defined by the first frame. A second frame is integrated with the first frame. The second frame is movable with the first frame between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. The second frame includes a plurality of first scissor assemblies. Each first scissor assembly of the plurality of first scissor assemblies is coupled to a corresponding first post of the plurality of first posts. Each first scissor assembly includes a first frame member pivotally coupled to a second frame member. A first end of the first frame member is slidably coupled to the corresponding first post and a first end of the second frame member is pivotally coupled to the corresponding first post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an integrated table with benches;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary frame assembly in an expanded configuration and suitable for use with the integrated table with benches shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 2 in a partially collapsed configuration with support members in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 2 in a partially collapsed configuration with the support members in a partially collapsed configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 2 in a collapsed configuration with the support members in a collapsed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides an integrated table and bench apparatus that is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In one embodiment, integrated table and bench apparatus includes a fully collapsible frame assembly that includes a middle frame and two side frames coupled symmetrically to opposing sides of the middle frame. The middle frame supports a table top that defines a surface having a suitable surface area for utilization by one or more users. Each side frame supports a bench having a support surface suitable for supporting one or more users. Each bench is positioned at a distance with respect to a ground plane lower than a distance at which the table top is positioned with respect to the ground plane to facilitate providing a comfortable sitting area for the users. Further, the collapsible table and bench apparatus as a whole is easily movable between the expanded configuration and the collapsed configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the middle frame and two side frames are fully collapsed to facilitate transporting and/or storing the integrated table and bench apparatus. More specifically, as the integrated table and bench apparatus is collapsed from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, each side frame moves toward the middle frame and folds or collapses fully. Further, the integrated table and bench apparatus requires a minimal number of parts, which decreases manufacturing cost.

The present disclosure is described below in reference to its application in connection with and operation of an integrated table and bench apparatus. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that the disclosure is likewise applicable to any collapsible apparatus, such as other foldable or collapsible furniture.

In the exemplary embodiment, a fully folding or collapsible, integrated table and bench apparatus 10 includes a collapsible frame assembly 11. Collapsible frame assembly 11 includes a first foldable or collapsible frame 12 that is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. One or more side frames, such as second frame 14 and/or third frame 16, are operatively coupled to or integrated with first frame 12 such that second frame 14 and/or third frame 16 are movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration with first frame 12. In the exemplary embodiment, table and bench apparatus 10 includes first frame 12, second frame 14, and third frame 16. A table top 20 is removably coupled to first frame 12, a first bench 24 is removably coupled to second frame 14, and a second bench 25 is removably coupled to third frame 16, as described in greater detail below. In an alternative embodiment, table and bench apparatus 10 includes first frame 12 and only second frame 12. Table top 20 is removably coupled to first frame 12 and first bench 24 is removably coupled to second frame 14.

Referring further to FIGS. 2-5, second frame 14 and third frame 16 are positioned on opposing lateral sides of first frame 12 to form a symmetric table and bench apparatus 10. A suitable table top 20 is removably coupled to first frame 12 to define a first or table top surface 22 having a surface area suitable for supporting objects, such as food, and/or picnic or dining pieces and utensils, for example. In one embodiment, table top 20 includes a plurality of panels 23 arranged side by side. A suitable connector (not shown), such as one or more rope pieces, couples adjacent panels 23 together. In alternative embodiments, table top 20 may be fabricated of a suitable rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material including, without limitation, a suitable wood, metal, alloy, composite, plastic, or flexible fabric material having sufficient strength to support objects. A suitable bench 24 is removably coupled to second frame 14 and/or a suitable bench 25 is removably coupled to third frame 16 to define a second or seating surface 26 and a third or seating surface 27, respectively, having a surface area suitable for supporting one or more users. In one embodiment, bench 24 and/or bench 25 is fabricated of a suitable flexible fabric material having sufficient strength to support one or more users. In an alternative embodiment, bench 24 and/or bench 25 include a plurality of panels (not shown) arranged side by side, and one or more rope pieces coupling adjacent panels. Alternatively, bench 24 and/or bench 25 may be fabricated of a suitable rigid or semi-rigid material including, without limitation, a wood, metal, alloy, composite or plastic material.

As shown in FIG. 1, with each bench 24 and bench 25 in the expanded configuration, each bench 24 and bench 25 defines seating surface 26, 27, respectively, that is generally parallel to and nonplanar with table top surface 22. Each bench 24 and/or bench 25 is positioned at a suitable distance from a support surface, such as a ground surface or ground plane, and with respect table top 20 to allow the users to comfortably sit on bench 24 and/or bench 25 and utilize table top surface 22 for eating, for example.

Referring further to FIGS. 2-5, first frame 12 includes a plurality of posts 30. In the exemplary embodiment, a first plurality of posts 30 are arranged or aligned along a first longitudinal line 32 defined by first frame 12 along and parallel to a first longitudinal edge 34 (shown in FIG. 1) of table top 20, and a second plurality of posts 30 are arranged or aligned along a second longitudinal line 36 parallel to first longitudinal line 32 and defined by first frame 12 along and parallel to an opposing second longitudinal edge 38 (shown in FIG. 1) of table top 20. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that first frame 12 may include any suitable number of posts, such as six, eight or ten posts 30 arranged in any suitable number of rows or longitudinal lines, such as two rows or along two longitudinal lines as shown in FIG. 2.

Post 30 has a first end 40 coupled to a first connector assembly 42 and an opposing second end 44 coupled to a second connector assembly 46. A first support member 50 is operatively coupled to the first plurality of posts 30 and an opposing second support member 51 is operatively coupled to the second plurality of posts 30. As shown in FIG. 2, first support member 50 is coupled within each aligned first connector assembly 42 coupled to corresponding posts 30 and second support member 51 is coupled within each aligned first connector assembly 42 coupled to the corresponding posts 30. In one embodiment, support member 50 and support member 51 are configured to at least partially support table top 20 with first frame 12 in the expanded configuration. In the exemplary embodiment, each support member 50 and 51 includes a middle segment 52, a first side segment 54 operatively coupled to, such as pivotally, rotationally, or hingedly coupled to, a first end of middle segment 52, and a second side segment 56 operatively coupled to, such as pivotally, rotationally, or hingedly coupled to, an opposing second end of middle segment 52. In this embodiment, middle segment 52 is fixedly coupled to a corresponding post 30 and first side segment 54 and second side segment 56 are slidably positioned within a corresponding first connector assembly 42 to facilitate moving first frame 12 between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration.

Referring further to FIGS. 2-5, first side segment 54 is pivotally movable with respect to middle segment 52 and slidably movably with respect to corresponding first connector assembly 42 as first frame 12 is moved between the expanded configuration, shown in FIG. 2, and the collapsed configuration, as shown in FIG. 5. Similarly, second side segment 56 is pivotally movable with respect to middle segment 52 and slidably movably with respect to corresponding first connector assembly 42 as first frame 12 is moved between the expanded configuration and the collapsed configuration.

Second frame 14 and/or third frame 16 include a plurality of first scissor assemblies 60. First scissor assembly 60 includes a first frame member 62 pivotally coupled to a second frame member 64. A first end 66 of first frame member 62 is slidably coupled to a corresponding post 30 and a first end 68 of second frame member 64 is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly 46. Further, a second end 70 of first frame member 62 is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly 46 and a second end 72 of second frame member 64 is pivotally coupled to a corresponding third connector assembly 74 configured to facilitate supporting bench 24. In one embodiment, bench 24 is removably coupled to each third connector assembly 74. As shown in FIG. 2, first frame member first end 66 is pivotally coupled to a sliding member 80 slidably positioned about corresponding post 30. Sliding member 80 is slidably movable along at least a portion of a length of post 30 to facilitate moving second frame 14 between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration. In one embodiment, a suitable locking device (not shown) is positioned with respect to sliding member 80 and/or post 30 such that with the locking device in a lock position, frame assembly 11 is locked in the expanded configuration, as shown in FIG. 1. The locking device is releasable such that a user is able to move frame assembly 11 between the expanded configuration and the collapsed configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, and first frame 12, second frame 14 and third frame 16 move between respective expanded configurations and collapsed configurations substantially simultaneously.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for example, in one embodiment, a first support 82 includes a first segment 84 that is pivotally coupled to a second segment 86. A first end 88 of first segment 84 is pivotally coupled to a corresponding third connector assembly 74 and a first end 90 of second segment 86 is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly 46. In a particular embodiment, first segment 84 is pivotally coupled to second frame member 64 and second segment 86 is pivotally coupled to first frame member 62. In a further embodiment, a second support 96 is pivotally coupled between first segment 84 and first frame member 62.

Referring further for FIGS. 2 and 3, second frame 14 and third frame 16 includes a plurality of first scissor assemblies 60 each operatively coupled to a corresponding first support 82 and second support 96. First scissor assembly 60 includes first frame member 62 pivotally coupled at first end 66 to sliding member 80 using a suitable joint, such as a pin joint, and first end 68 of second frame member 64 pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly 46 using a suitable joint, such as a pin joint. First segment 84 is pivotally coupled to second frame member 64 and second segment 86 is pivotally coupled to first frame member 62. Further, first end 88 of first segment 84 is pivotally coupled to a corresponding third connector assembly 74 using a suitable joint, such as a pin joint, and first end 90 of second segment 86 is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly 46 using a suitable joint, such as a pin joint. In this embodiment, second support 96 is coupled between first segment 84 and first frame member 62.

Second frame 14 and third frame 16 also include a plurality of second scissor assemblies 98. Each second scissor assembly 98 is coupled between adjacent first scissor assemblies 60. In one embodiment, second scissor assembly 98 is similar to first scissor assembly 60 and includes a first frame member 100 pivotally coupled to a second frame member 102. As shown in FIG. 2, first end 88 of first segment 84 and a first end 104 of first frame member 100 are pivotally coupled to corresponding third connector assembly 74 using a suitable joint, such as a pin joint. An opposing second end 106 of first frame member 100 is pivotally coupled to second connector assembly 46 of adjacent first scissor assembly 60. First end 90 of second segment 86 and a first end 110 of second frame member 102 are pivotally coupled to corresponding second connector assembly 46.

Table top 20 is removably coupled to support member 50 and support member 51. In one embodiment, table top 20 is removed from first frame 12 to facilitate moving frame assembly 11 between the expanded configuration and the collapsed configuration. In a particular embodiment, a locking device is released and frame assembly 11 is fully collapsed. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, side segments 54, 56 of support member 50 and side segments 54, 56 of support member 51 are pivoted with respect to middle segment 52 such that side segments 54, 56 move toward the collapsed frame assembly 11, as shown in FIGS. 3-5.

The present disclosure is related to a foldable or collapsible, integrated table and bench apparatus. In one embodiment, a fully foldable or collapsible frame assembly includes a first or middle frame and two side frames symmetrically coupled to opposing sides of the middle frame. Each side frame supports a seating bench having a support surface that is lower with respect to a ground plane than the table top coupled to a top portion of the middle frame. As a result, the collapsible, integrated table and bench apparatus as a whole is easily movable between the expanded configuration and the collapsed configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the middle frame and two side frames are fully collapsed to facilitate transporting and/or storing the table and bench apparatus. More specifically, as the table and bench apparatus is collapsed from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, each side frame moves toward the middle frame and folds or collapses fully. The collapsible table and bench apparatus requires a minimal number of integrated parts, which decreases manufacturing cost.

Exemplary embodiments of an integrated table and bench apparatus are described above in detail. The apparatus is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the apparatus may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. Further, the described apparatus components can also be defined in, or used in combination with, other apparatus, and are not limited to practice with only the apparatus as described herein.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible table and bench apparatus comprising: a collapsible frame assembly comprising a first frame and a second frame operatively coupled to the first frame, each of the first frame and the second frame movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;a table top coupled to the first frame and defining a first surface; anda bench coupled the second frame and defining a second surface, the second surface parallel to and nonplanar with the first surface with the first frame and the second frame in the expanded configuration.

2. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the collapsible frame includes a third frame coupled to the first frame, wherein the second frame is coupled to a first side of the first frame and the third frame is coupled to a second side of the first frame opposing the first side.

3. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first frame further comprises: a plurality of posts, each post of the plurality of posts having a first end coupled to a first connector assembly and an opposing second end coupled to a second connector assembly; anda support member coupled within each first connector assembly of adjacent first connector assemblies.

4. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the support member comprises a first segment pivotally coupled to a second segment.

5. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the second frame comprises a plurality of first scissor assemblies, each first scissor assembly of the plurality of first scissor assemblies comprising a first frame member pivotally coupled to a second frame member, wherein a first end of the first frame member is slidably coupled to a corresponding post of the plurality of posts and a first end of the second frame member is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly.

6. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a sliding member slidably positioned about the corresponding post and movable along at least a portion of a length of the corresponding post, and the first frame member first end is pivotally coupled to the sliding member.

7. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein a second end of the first frame member is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly and a second end of the second frame member is pivotally coupled to a corresponding third connector assembly of a plurality of third connector assemblies.

8. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a first support comprising a first segment pivotally coupled to a second segment, the first segment pivotally coupled to a corresponding third connector assembly and the second segment pivotally coupled to the corresponding second connector assembly.

9. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the first segment is pivotally coupled to the second frame member and the second segment is pivotally coupled to the first frame member.

10. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein a second support is coupled between the first segment and the first frame member.

11. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the bench is coupled to each third connector assembly of the plurality of third connector assemblies.

12. A collapsible table and bench apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the second frame comprises a plurality of second scissor assemblies, each second scissor assembly of the plurality of second scissor assemblies coupled between adjacent first scissor assemblies of the plurality of scissor assemblies.

13. A collapsible frame assembly comprising: a first frame movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the first frame comprising: a plurality of first posts aligned along a first longitudinal line defined by the first frame; anda first support member comprising a middle segment fixedly coupled to a first post of the plurality of first posts, and a first side segment and a second side segment pivotally coupled to the middle segment, a corresponding first post of the plurality of first posts slidably coupled to each of the first side segment and the second side segment; anda second frame integrated with the first frame, the second frame movable with the first frame between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration configured to support a bench.

14. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a first connector assembly coupled to a first end of each first post of the plurality of first posts and a second connector assembly coupled to an opposing second end of each first post, wherein the first support member is coupled to the first connector assembly.

15. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the first support member is configured to at least partially support a table top with the first frame in the expanded configuration.

16. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the first frame further comprises: a plurality of second posts aligned along a second longitudinal line defined by the first frame and parallel to the first longitudinal line; anda second support member comprising a middle segment fixedly coupled to a first post of the plurality of second posts, and a first side segment and a second side segment pivotally coupled to the middle segment, a corresponding second post of the plurality of second posts slidably coupled to each of the first side segment and the second side segment.

17. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 16 further comprising a third frame integrated with the first frame, the third frame movable with the first frame between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration configured to support a bench.

18. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the second frame further comprises a plurality of first scissor assemblies, each first scissor assembly of the plurality of first scissor assemblies coupled to a corresponding first post of the plurality of first posts, each first scissor assembly comprising a first frame member pivotally coupled to a second frame member, a first end of the first frame member slidably coupled to the corresponding first post and a first end of the second frame member pivotally coupled to the corresponding first post.

19. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein the first end of the second frame member is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly.

20. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein a second end of the first member is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly and a second end of the second member is pivotally coupled to a corresponding third connector assembly of a plurality of third connector assemblies.

21. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 18 further comprising a sliding member slidably positioned about the corresponding first post and movable along at least a portion of a length of the corresponding first post, and the first member first end is pivotally coupled to the sliding member.

22. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 18 further comprising a first support including a first segment pivotally coupled to a second segment, the first segment pivotally coupled to a corresponding third connector assembly and the second segment pivotally coupled to a corresponding second assembly.

23. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 22 wherein the first segment is pivotally coupled to the second frame member and the second segment is pivotally coupled to the first frame member.

24. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 23 further comprising a second support coupled between the first segment and the first frame member.

25. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein the second frame comprises a plurality of second scissor assemblies, each second scissor assembly of the plurality of second scissor assemblies coupled between adjacent first scissor assemblies of the plurality of scissor assemblies.

26. A collapsible frame assembly comprising: a first frame movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration configured to support a table top, the first frame comprising a plurality of first posts aligned along a first longitudinal line defined by the first frame; anda second frame integrated with the first frame, the second frame movable with the first frame between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration, the second frame comprising a plurality of first scissor assemblies, each first scissor assembly of the plurality of first scissor assemblies coupled to a corresponding first post of the plurality of first posts, each first scissor assembly comprising a first frame member pivotally coupled to a second frame member, a first end of the first frame member slidably coupled to the corresponding first post and a first end of the second frame member pivotally coupled to the corresponding first post.

27. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 26 wherein the second frame is configured to support a bench with the second frame in the expanded configuration.

28. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 26 further comprising a first connector assembly coupled to a first end of each first post of the plurality of first posts and a second connector assembly coupled to an opposing second end of each first post, wherein the first end of the second frame member is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly.

29. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 28 wherein a second end of the first frame member is pivotally coupled to the corresponding second connector assembly and a second end of the second frame member is pivotally coupled to a corresponding third connector assembly of a plurality of third connector assemblies.

30. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 26 further comprising a sliding member slidably positioned about the corresponding first post and movable along at least a portion of a length of the corresponding post, and the first frame member first end is pivotally coupled to the sliding member.

31. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 30 further comprising a first support comprising a first segment pivotally coupled to a second segment, the first segment pivotally coupled to a corresponding third connector assembly of the plurality of third connector assemblies and the second segment pivotally coupled to a corresponding second connector assembly of the plurality of second connector assemblies.

32. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 31 wherein the first segment is pivotally coupled to the second frame member and the second segment is pivotally coupled to the first frame member.

33. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 32 wherein a second support is coupled between the first segment and the first frame member.

34. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 31 wherein a bench is coupled to each third connector assembly of the plurality of third connector assemblies.

35. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 26 wherein the second frame comprises a plurality of second scissor assemblies, each second scissor assembly of the plurality of second scissor assemblies coupled between adjacent first scissor assemblies of the plurality of scissor assemblies.

36. A collapsible frame assembly in accordance with claim 26 further comprising a third frame integrated with the first frame, the third frame movable with the first frame between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration, the third frame comprising a plurality of second scissor assemblies, each second scissor assembly of the plurality of second scissor assemblies coupled to a corresponding second post of a plurality of second posts aligned along a second longitudinal line defined by the first frame and parallel to the first longitudinal line, each second scissor assembly comprising a first frame member pivotally coupled to a second frame member, a first end of the first frame member slidably coupled to the corresponding second post and a first end of the second frame member pivotally coupled to the corresponding second post.