The present application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model Applications CN 201921680779.0 filed Oct. 9, 2019 and CN 2020020712844.X filed Apr. 30, 2020. The disclosure of each application is incorporated herein for all purposes by reference in its entirety.
The present invention generally relates to tables and, in particular, to portable and adjustable picnic tables.
Picnicking and camping become more and more popular these days. However, existing picnic tables are usually too bulky or heavy for people to carry around. In addition, most exiting picnic tables are not adjustable in height, and do not fully meet the needs of different people.
Given the current state of the art, there remains a need for portable and adjustable picnic tables that address the abovementioned issues.
The information disclosed in this Background section is provided for an understanding of the general background of the invention and is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this information forms part of the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
The present disclosure provides portable and adjustable picnic tables that are adjustable in height and foldable for convenient storage and transportation.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides a picnic table including a table panel and one or more bench panels. The picnic table also includes first and second supporting assemblies, each operable between a use position and a storage position. When in the use position, the first supporting assembly is disposed at a first side of the picnic table and the second supporting assembly is disposed at a second side of the picnic table. Each of the first and second supporting assemblies includes a table support and one or more bench supports. The picnic table further includes a table frame and one or more bench frames. The table frame is disposed at a bottom side of the table panel and configured to connect the table supports of the first and second supporting assemblies with the table panel such that the table support of each of the first and second supporting assemblies is rotatable with respect to the table panel. Each of the one or more bench frames is disposed at a bottom side of a corresponding bench panel in the one or more bench panels and configured to connect a respective bench support in the one or more bench supports of the first supporting assembly and a respective bench support in the one or more bench supports of the second supporting assembly with the corresponding bench panel such that the respective bench supporting assembly of each of the first and second supporting assemblies is rotatable with respect to the corresponding bench panel. The table support of each of the first and second supporting assemblies includes one or more adjustable supports each having an adjustable length. As such, when each of the first and second supporting assemblies is in the use position, adjusting collectively the lengths of the one or more adjustable supports of the table supports of the first and second supporting assemblies changes a height of the table panel with respect to the one or more bench panels.
In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first and second supporting assemblies further includes a crossbar connecting the table support and the one or more bench supports.
In an exemplary embodiment, the crossbar is configured to be placed on a ground when the picnic table is in use.
In some exemplary embodiments, each of the one or more adjustable supports of the table support includes an inner bar and an outer bar telescopically coupled with each other.
In an exemplary embodiment, the table support further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled with the one or more adjustable supports and configured to control relative movement of the inner and outer bars of each of the one or more adjustable supports.
In another exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more adjustable supports includes a locking/unlocking mechanism configured to control relative movement of the inner and outer bars of the respective adjustable support.
In some exemplary embodiments, the table frame includes a first table side bar coupled with a first side of the table panel, a second table side bar coupled with a second side of the table panel, and a table connecting bar corresponding to each respective supporting assembly in the first and second supporting assemblies. The table connecting bar includes a first end portion pivotally connected with the first table side bar, a second end portion pivotally connected with the second table side bar, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions. The one or more adjustable supports of the respective table support are connected with the table connecting bar.
In an exemplary embodiment, the table connecting bar is curved or bended, with the first and second end portions aligned with each other and the middle portion being offset with respect to the first and second end portions.
In some exemplary embodiments, corresponding to each respective supporting assembly in the first and second supporting assemblies, the table frame further includes a rail, a slider and a link. The rail is disposed between the first and second table side bars and extended in a direction substantially the same as the first and second table side bars. The slider is slidably coupled with the rail and includes a control mechanism to lock or unlock the slider with respect to the rail. The link has a first end portion pivotally coupled with the slider and a second end portion pivotally coupled with the one or more adjustable supports.
In an exemplary embodiment, corresponding to each respective supporting assembly in the first and second supporting assemblies, the table frame further includes a reinforcement bar having a first end portion connected with the first table side bar and a second end portion connected with the second table side bar. The rail is connected with the middle portion of the connecting bar and a middle portion of the reinforcement bar.
In another exemplary embodiment, the rail corresponding to the first supporting assembly and the rail corresponding to the second supporting assembly are integrally formed as a unitary piece.
In some exemplary embodiments, each of the one or more bench frames includes a first bench side bar coupled with a first side of the corresponding bench panel and a second bench side bar coupled with a second side of the bench panel. Each of the one or more bench frames further includes a bench connecting bar corresponding to each respective supporting assembly in the first and second supporting assemblies. The bench connecting bar includes a first end portion pivotally connected with the first bench side bar and a second end portion pivotally connected with the second bench side bar. The bench connecting bar is aligned with the first and second end portions of the table connecting bar, and the respective bench support in the one or more bench supports of the respective table support is connected with the bench connecting bar.
In some exemplary embodiments, the height of the table panel is adjustable between a first position at which the table panel is positioned higher than the one or more bench panels and a second position at which the table panel is positioned at a level substantially the same as the one or more bench panels.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides a supporting frame including first and second supporting assemblies, a table frame, and one or more bench frames. Each of the first and second supporting assemblies includes a crossbar, a table support connected with the crossbar, and one or more bench supports each connected or formed with the crossbar. The table frame is configured to connect the table supports of the first and second supporting assemblies with a table panel such that the table support of each of the first and second supporting assemblies is rotatable with respect to the table panel. Each of the one or more bench frames is configured to connect a respective bench support in the one or more bench supports of the first supporting assembly and a respective bench support in the one or more bench supports of the second supporting assembly with a corresponding bench panel in one or more bench panels such that the respective bench supporting assembly of each of the first and second supporting assemblies is rotatable with respect to the corresponding bench panel. The table support of each of the first and second supporting assemblies includes one or more adjustable supports each having an adjustable length. As such, when each of the first and second supporting assemblies is in a use position, adjusting collectively the lengths of the one or more adjustable supports of the table supports of the first and second supporting assemblies changes a height of the table panel with respect to the one or more bench panels.
In an exemplary embodiment, the table support further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled with the one or more adjustable supports to control relative movement of the inner and outer bars of the one or more adjustable supports.
In another exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more adjustable supports includes a locking/unlocking mechanism configured to control relative movement of the inner and outer bars of the respective adjustable support.
In some exemplary embodiments, the table frame includes a first table side bar coupled with a first side of the table panel, a second table side bar coupled with a second side of the table panel, and a table connecting bar corresponding to each respective supporting assembly in the first and second supporting assemblies. The table connecting bar includes a first end portion pivotally connected with the first table side bar, a second end portion pivotally connected with the second table side bar, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions. The one or more adjustable supports of the respective table support are connected with the table connecting bar.
In an exemplary embodiment, the table connecting bar is curved or bended, wherein the first and second end portions are aligned with each other, and the middle portion is offset with respect to the first and second end portions.
In some exemplary embodiments, corresponding to each respective supporting assembly in the first and second supporting assemblies, the table frame further includes a rail, a slider and a link. The rail is disposed between the first and second table side bars and extended in a direction substantially the same as the first and second table side bars. The slider is slidably coupled with the rail and includes a control mechanism to lock or unlock the slider with respect to the rail. The link has a first end portion pivotally coupled with the slider and a second end portion pivotally coupled with the one or more adjustable supports.
In an exemplary embodiment, corresponding to each respective supporting assembly in the first and second supporting assemblies, the table frame further includes a reinforcement bar having a first end portion connected with the first table side bar and a second end portion connected with the second table side bar, wherein the rail is connected with the middle portion of the table connecting bar and a middle portion of the reinforcement bar.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides a supporting assembly including a crossbar, a table support and one or more bench supports. The crossbar is configured to be placed on a ground and serving as a base. The table support is configured to support a table panel and has a lower end portion fixedly connected or formed with the crossbar. Each of the one or more bench supports is disposed at a side of the table support to support a bench panel and has a lower end portion fixedly connected or formed with the crossbar. The table support includes one or more adjustable supports each including an inner bar and an outer bar telescopically coupled with each other, thereby allowing adjustment of a height of the table panel with respect to the one or more bench panels. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more adjustable supports includes a locking/unlocking mechanism to control relative movement of the inner and outer bars of the respective adjustable support. In another exemplary embodiment, the table support further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled with the one or more adjustable supports to control relative movement of the inner and outer bars of the one or more adjustable supports.
The supporting assemblies, supporting frames and picnic tables of the present disclosure have other features and advantages that will be apparent from, or are set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the Detailed Description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of exemplary embodiments of the invention.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, the components illustrated in the figures described above are combinable in any useful number and combination. The figures are intended to be illustrative in nature and are not limiting.
Reference will now be made in detail to implementation of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the following detailed description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having benefit of this disclosure.
In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will be appreciated that, in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Many modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments set forth in this disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific exemplary embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only, and the disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the context of picnic tables. A picnic table generally includes a table panel, one or more bench panels and a supporting frame to support the table and bench panels. A supporting frame generally includes one or more supporting assemblies, each having a table support rotatably coupled with the table panel and one or more bench supports rotatably coupled with the one or more bench supports. The table support is adjustable in length. As such, the height of the table panel can be adjusted, by adjusting the length of the table support, to meet the needs of various end users. In addition, the table and bench panels can be aligned with each other (e.g., on the same plane) with the supporting frame folded onto the table and bench panels. In such a folded state, the picnic table is compact and has a general panel-like shape, making it easy and convenient for storage and transportation.
The table and bench panels of the picnic tables disclosed herein can be of various shapes including but not limited to a square shape, a round shape or a rectangular shape, and can be made of various materials including but not limited to metals, plastics and woods. In some exemplary embodiments, the table panel, the bench panel or both are made of plastics by injection molding, blow molding or any other suitable processes. The supporting frame of the present disclosure can be made of various materials including but not limited to metals (e.g., iron, steel, and aluminum) and plastics.
Referring now to
Picnic table 100 also includes one or more supporting assemblies such as supporting assembly 110 to support the table and bench panels. By way of example,
Picnic table 100 further includes a table frame such as table frame 150 and one or more bench frames such as bench frame 160. Table frame 150 is disposed at a bottom side of table panel 130 and configured to rotatably connect the table support of each supporting assembly 110 with the table panel. Each bench frame 160 is disposed at a bottom side of a corresponding bench panel and configured to rotatably connect respective bench support 116 of each supporting assembly 110 with the corresponding bench panel. The table and bench frames, together with the one or more supporting assemblies, are collectively referred to herein as a supporting frame.
Of each supporting assembly 110, table support 115 is configured to be an adjustable assembly or to include an adjustable assembly so that the length of the table support and thus the height of the table panel can be adjusted. An adjustable assembly generally includes one, two, three or more than three adjustable supports. For instance, as an example,
In some exemplary embodiments, the table support and the one or more bench supports are connected with each other by a crossbar such as crossbar 111. For instance, in an exemplary embodiment, the lower end of the table support (e.g., the distal end of inner bar 117a of adjustable support 117) and the lower end of the bench support are connected or formed with the crossbar. In some exemplary embodiments, the one or more bench supports are integrally or monolithically formed with the crossbar. In an exemplary embodiment, the crossbar is configured to be placed on a ground, e.g., serving as a base, when the picnic table is in use.
Referring to
The table support (e.g., the one or more adjustable supports 117 of the table support) is connected with the table connecting bar, for instance, connected with the middle portion of the table connecting bar. Since the table connecting bar is pivotally connected with the first and second table side bars, the table support is thus rotatable with respect to the table panel. In an exemplary embodiment, the table support includes the table connecting bar, e.g., the table connecting bar being a component of the table support instead of a component of the table frame.
In some exemplary embodiments, the table connecting bar is curved or bended such that the first and second end portions are aligned with each other and the middle portion is offset with respect to the first and second end portions. This configuration helps to prevent disengagement of the table connecting bar from the table side bars and to stabilize the picnic table when in use.
In some exemplary embodiments, one or each of the first and second table side bars is formed with a hole such as hole 153 to couple with the first or second end portion of table connecting bar 118. The hole of the table side bar and the end portion of the table connecting bar are configured such that the hole and end portion are loosely coupled with each other when the table support is folded onto the table panel and are tightly coupled with each other when the table support is unfolded and supports the table panel. This can be achieved by having a circular hole coupled with an end portion of an oval or oblong cross-section, by having an oval or oblong hole coupled with a circular end portion, by having an oval or oblong hole coupled with an end portion of an oval or oblong cross-section, or the like. This configuration makes it easy to fold and unfold the table support and thus the supporting assembly, and helps to prevent disengagement of the table connecting bar from the table side bars and stabilize the picnic table when in use.
Referring to
In some exemplary embodiments, corresponding to each supporting assembly, the table frame further includes a reinforcement bar to enhance the strength and the stability of the table panel. For instance, in an exemplary embodiment, corresponding to each supporting assembly 110, table frame 150 includes reinforcement bar 154 having a first end portion connected with the first table side bar and a second end portion connected with the second table side bar.
In an exemplary embodiment, rail 131 has one end portion connected with the middle portion of the connecting bar and another portion connected with a middle portion of the reinforcement bar. In another exemplary embodiment, the rails corresponding to the supporting assemblies are integrally and monolithically formed as a unitary piece.
Referring to
The bench support is connected with the bench connecting bar, and is thus rotatable with respect to the bench panel. In an exemplary embodiment, the bench support includes the bench connecting bar, e.g., the bench connecting bar being a component of the bench support instead of a component of the bench frame. In an exemplary embodiment, the bench connecting bar is a straight bar and aligned with the first and second end portions of the table connecting bar.
In some exemplary embodiments, one or each of the first and second bench side bars is formed with a hole such as hole 163 to couple with the first or second end portion of bench connecting bar 119. The hole of the bench side bar and the end portion of the bench connecting bar are configured such that the hole and end portion are loosely coupled with each other when the bench support is folded onto the bench panel and are tightly coupled with each other when the bench support is unfolded and supports the bench panel. This can be achieved by having a circular hole coupled with an end portion of an oval or oblong cross-section, by having an oval or oblong hole coupled with a circular end portion, by having an oval or oblong hole coupled with an end portion of an oval or oblong cross-section, or the like. This configuration makes it easy to fold and unfold the bench support and thus the supporting assembly. In addition, this configuration helps to prevent disengagement of the bench connecting bar from the bench side bars and to stabilize the picnic table when in use.
Referring back to
Referring now to
Referring to
In some exemplary embodiments, supporting assembly 310 includes one or more additional crossbars. For instance, supporting assembly 310 includes crossbar 480 to couple or support the table panel. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper end of adjustable assembly 400 (e.g., the distal ends of outer tubular bars 12 of first adjustable support 10a and second adjustable support 10b) are connected with crossbar 380. In some exemplary embodiments, supporting assembly 310 further includes crossbar 482 coupled with bench support 370 and configured to couple or support the bench panel. In some exemplary embodiments, supporting assembly 310 does not include crossbar 480 or crossbar 482, but is coupled to crossbar 480 which severs as a table connecting bar or crossbar 482 which serves as a bench connecting bar.
Referring to
First arm 40a and second arm 40b are disposed in the channel of the casing. The first arm has a first end such as first end 47a adjacent to the first side of the casing, and the second arm has a second end such as second end 47b adjacent the second side of the casing. The first and second arms can have any suitable shapes, sizes or the like. In the illustrated embodiments, the first and second arms have a block-like shape each with a pin-like end. The first and second arms are movable with respect to the casing along the first direction (e.g., the x-direction in
Referring in particular to
In some exemplary embodiments, to place and keep the button at the first position under normal conditions (e.g., without any external force), the adjustment mechanism includes one or more first elastic members (e.g., string) such as first elastic member 61.
Referring to
In some exemplary embodiments, similar to adjustment mechanism 210, the first arm of adjustment mechanism 410 includes one or more first slots such as first slot 41a and the second arm of adjustment mechanism 410 includes one or more second slots such as second slot 41b. Each of the one or more first slots is substantially parallel to the first surface, and each of the one or more second slots is substantially parallel to the second surface. Corresponding to the first and second slots, the button of adjustment mechanism 410 includes one or more first pins such as first pin 51a and one or more second pins such as second pin 51b. First pin 51a is operably coupled with first slot 41a and movable along the first slot to guide the movement of the third surface with respect to the first surface of the first arm. Second pin 51b is operably coupled with second slot 41b and movable along the second slot to guide the movement of the fourth surface with respect to the second surface of the second arm.
In some exemplary embodiments, similar to adjustment mechanism 210, the first arm of adjustment mechanism 410 includes a third slot such as slot 43a in the first direction, and casing 20 of adjustment mechanism 410 includes a third pin such as pin 53a operably coupled with slot 43a. Pin 53a is movable along slot 43a to guide the movement of the first arm along the first direction. Similarly, second arm 40b of adjustment mechanism 410 includes a fourth slot such as fourth slot 43b in the first direction, and casing 20 of adjustment mechanism 410 includes a fourth pin such as pin 53b operably coupled with the fourth slot. The fourth pin is movable along the fourth slot to guide the movement of the second arm along the first direction.
As the button moves from the first position as illustrated in
As the button moves upward from the second position to the first position, pins 51a and 51b move upward as well. Because slots 41a and 41b are sloped and because the first and second arms are movable in the first direction, the upward movement of the pins pushes the first arm toward the first adjustable support and the second arm toward the second adjustable support. As a result, the first end of the first arm protrudes from the first side of the casing and into the first restriction hole of the outer tubular bar and the restriction member of the inner bar of the first adjustable support, and the second end of the second arm protrudes from the second side of the casing and into the first restriction hole of the outer tubular bar and the restriction member of the inner bar of the second adjustable support. In this state, depending on the configuration of the restriction member of the inner bar, the inner bar is restricted from moving with respect to the outer tubular bar of the respective adjustable support in at least one direction.
The picnic tables of the present disclosures have several advantages. For instance, the picnic table can be folded into a general panel-like shape, with the table and bench panels aligned with each other and the supporting assemblies folded onto the table and beach panels. As such, the picnic table is portable and easy to carry around. When in use, the height of the table panel can be adjusted to meet the needs and preferences of various end users. The adjustment is simple and easy with the table supports disclosed herein. In embodiments where the inner bars of the adjustable supports have one-way restriction structures, the height of the table panel can be increased by simply lifting the side bars or the table panel. In addition, with the sliders, rails and links disclosed herein, folding and unfolding of the supporting assemblies are smooth and fast.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms “top” or “bottom”, “lower” or “upper”, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first bar could be termed a second bar, and, similarly, a second bar could be termed a first bar, without changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first bar” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second bar” are renamed consistently.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201921680779.0 | Oct 2019 | CN | national |
2020020712844.X | Apr 2020 | CN | national |