SUSPENDED DINING TABLE AND CHAIRS

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a suspended dining table and chairs. The suspended dining table and chairs includes a table disposed between a base frame and top frame. The table comprises a tabletop that is supported by way of a table support frame. Upright members between the base frame and the top frame support the table by way of a table support member coupled with the table support frame. Multiple chairs are suspended from the top frame in positions around the table that are suitable for seating practitioners at the table. The base frame supports a bench seat that provides seating to two or more practitioners at the table. An awning is configured to be extended within the top frame to provide shade to practitioners seated at the table in outdoor settings.

Description

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of furniture. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and methods for a suspended dining table and chairs.

BACKGROUND

Conventional dining tables and chairs typically are supported by way of multiple legs under the table and each chair. The legs generally are vertical members attached to each chair and the table for resting on a horizontal surface such as a floor, patio, or the ground. The legs are configured to support the weight of the associated table or chair as well as any weight placed thereon. Further, in the case of outdoor dining tables, shade is often provided by way of an umbrella that can be extended over a majority of the table. Such an umbrella typically is supported by way of a central post that extends downward from the umbrella, through the table to a supporting structure resting on the horizontal surface.

A drawback to conventional dining tables and chairs is that the legs supporting the table and chairs, as well as the central post supporting the umbrella, often obstruct the movement of users' legs under the table. The positions of the legs can lead to users bumping into the legs during entering and exiting the table as well as force users to sit in limited positions around the table, giving rise to a cramped or restricted feeling on the part of the users. Embodiments disclosed herein provide a suspended dining table and chairs that overcome these and other drawbacks to conventional dining tables and chairs.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and methods are provided for a suspended dining table and chairs. The suspended dining table and chairs includes a table disposed between a base frame and top frame. The table comprises a tabletop that is supported by way of a table support frame. Upright members between the base frame and the top frame support the table by way of a table support member coupled with the table support frame. Multiple chairs are suspended from the top frame in positions around the table that are suitable for seating practitioners at the table. The base frame supports a bench seat that provides seating to two or more practitioners at the table. An awning is configured to be extended within the top frame to provide shade to practitioners seated at the table in outdoor settings.

In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for a dining table and chairs comprises: a table disposed between a base frame and a top frame; multiple upright members for supporting the table; one or more chairs suspended from the top frame; and a bench seat supported by the base frame.

In another exemplary embodiment, a table support member is disposed between each corner of the table and at least one of the multiple upright members. In another exemplary embodiment, the top frame supports the one or more chairs in positions around the table that are suitable for seating practitioners at the table. In another exemplary embodiment, the bench seat is configured to provide seating to two or more practitioners at the table. In another exemplary embodiment, any one or more of the base frame, the top frame, the multiple upright members, and the table support members comprise a rectangular stainless-steel frame.

In another exemplary embodiment, the base frame and the top frame each has four equal-length sides, such that the dining table and chairs has a perimeter footprint shape comprising a square shape. In another exemplary embodiment, the base frame and the top frame has other than four sides, such that the perimeter footprint shape is other than the square shape. In another exemplary embodiment, two opposite sides of the base frame and the top frame have a length that differs from the length of the adjacent sides, and thus the perimeter footprint shape of the dining table and chairs comprises a quadrilateral shape.

In another exemplary embodiment, the base frame comprises a front base member, at least one side base member, and a rear base member. In another exemplary embodiment, opposite ends of each of the front base member, the at least one side base member, and the rear base member are configured to be fixedly coupled with the multiple upright members. In another exemplary embodiment, the top frame comprises a front top member, at least one side top member, and a rear top member. In another exemplary embodiment, opposite ends of each of the front top member, the at least one side top member, and the rear top member are configured to be fixedly coupled with the multiple upright members.

In another exemplary embodiment, an awning is configured to be extended within the top frame to provide shade to practitioners seated at the table in outdoor settings. In another exemplary embodiment, the bench seat comprises one or more wooden planks that are fastened onto T-shaped supports that are coupled with a front base member comprising the base frame. In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more chairs each includes a seat portion that is supported on both sides by a front chain and a rear chain that join a long chain that extends upwards to the top frame.

In another exemplary embodiment, the table comprises a tabletop that is supported by way of a table support frame. In another exemplary embodiment, the tabletop comprises a series of planks that are laid in parallel and fastened onto the table support frame. In another exemplary embodiment, the table support frame comprises a rectangular stainless-steel frame that is arranged underneath the tabletop.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a dining table and chair comprises: assembling a base frame and a top frame; disposing multiple upright members between the base frame and the top frame; supporting a table by way of the multiple upright members; suspending one or more chairs from the top frame; and supporting a bench seat by way of the base frame.

In another exemplary embodiment, supporting the table includes disposing a table support member between each corner of the table and at least one of the multiple upright members. In another exemplary embodiment, supporting the table includes coupling a table support frame to the table support members. In another exemplary embodiment, suspending the one or more chairs includes suspending the one or more chairs in positions around the table that are suitable for seating practitioners at the table.

These and other features of the concepts provided herein may be better understood with reference to the drawings, description, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a suspended dining table and chairs, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a suspended dining table and chairs in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an upright member for a suspended dining table and chairs, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a front base member for a suspended dining table and chairs, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a T-shaped support for a suspended dining table and chairs in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a fastener for a suspended dining table and chairs in accordance with the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The present disclosure should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the suspended dining table and chairs and methods disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first seat,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first seat” is different than a “second seat.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

Conventional dining tables and chairs typically are supported by way of multiple legs under the table and each chair. In the case of outdoor dining tables, shade is often provided by way of an umbrella that can be extended over a majority of the table. The umbrella typically is supported by way of a central post that extends downward from the umbrella, through the table to a supporting structure resting on the horizontal surface. A drawback to conventional dining tables and chairs is that the legs supporting the table and chairs, as well as the central post supporting the umbrella, often obstruct the movement of users' legs under the table, leading to a cramped or restricted feeling on the part of the users. Embodiments disclosed herein provide a suspended dining table and chairs that overcome these and other drawbacks to conventional dining tables and chairs.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a suspended dining table and chairs 100, according to the present disclosure. The suspended dining table and chairs 100 comprises a table 104 that is supported between a base frame 108 and a top frame 112 by way of multiple upright members 116. A table support member 120 disposed between each upright member 116 and a corner of the table 104. The top frame 112 supports multiple suspended chairs 124 in positions around the table 104 that are suitable for seating practitioners of the table 104. Further, the base frame 108 supports a bench seat 128 configured to provide seating to two or more practitioners at a front of the table 104. The base frame 108, top frame 112, the upright members 116, and the table support members 120 preferably comprise a rectangular stainless-steel frame, without limitation. As will be appreciated, portions of the rectangular stainless-steel frame may be welded by a manufacturer and then the portions may be assembled by a practitioner, such as an end-user.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the base frame 108 and the top frame 112 each have four equal-length sides, giving the dining table and chairs 100 a generally cube shape. It is contemplated, however, that the base and top frames 108, 112 may have more or less than four sides and thus a perimeter footprint shape of the dining table and chairs 100 may have shapes other than a square shape shown in FIG. 1. For example, the perimeter footprint shape of the dining table and chairs 100 may be any of triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nonagonal, decagonal, polygonal, and the like. In some embodiments, two opposite sides of the base frame 108 and the top frame 112 may have a length that differs from the length of the adjacent sides, and thus the perimeter footprint shape of the dining table and chairs 100 may be a quadrilateral, such any of various rectangular shapes, without limitation.

As will be appreciated, the base frame 108 and the top frame 112 generally have a number of sides that matches the number of edges comprising the table 104. In some embodiments, however, the base and top frames 108, 112 may have a number of sides that is other than the number of edges of the table 104. For example, in some embodiments, the base and top frames 108, 112 may have six sides while the table 104 has four edges, providing a rectangular or square table 104 suspended within hexagonally shaped base and top frames 108, 112. It is contemplated that the base and top frames 108, 112 may be implemented with any number of sides and the table 104 may be implemented with any number of edges, as desired, without limitation.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, an awning 132 may be extended within the top frame 112. In general, the awning 132 is configured to provide shade to practitioners seated at the table 104 in outdoor settings. A benefit of the awning 132 is that it may be fastened to the sides of the top frame 112 and thus eliminates any need for a central post extending through the table 104 to support an umbrella. It is contemplated that the awning 132 may be implemented with a variety of materials, patters, colors, and shapes, as desired, without limitation.

Turning, now, to FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of the suspended dining table and chairs 100 is shown in absence of the awning 132 of FIG. 1. As mentioned above, the suspended dining table and chairs 100 may comprise an assembled rectangular stainless-steel frame structure. To this end, the base frame 108 comprises a front base member 136, two parallel side base members 140, and a rear base member 144. In some embodiments, adjacent base members 136, 140, 144 may be slid onto mount legs 148 comprising the upright members 116, as shown in FIG. 3, and then fastened by way of suitable fasteners 152. The fasteners 152 may comprise any suitable device for fixating adjacent base members 136, 140, 144 onto the mount legs 148. For example, in some embodiments the fasteners 152 comprise bolts, nuts, and washers, without limitation. The mount legs 148 may include holes 156 that align with similar holes (see FIG. 4) in the ends of the base members 136, 140, 144 that are configured to receive suitably sized bolts. Upon installing the washers and tightening the nuts, the base members 136, 140, 144 may be fixed to the upright members 116, as shown in FIG. 2.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 2-3, the top frame 112 comprises a front top member 160, two parallel side top members 164, and a rear top member 168. In some embodiments, adjacent top members 160, 164, 168 may be slid onto the mount legs 148 of the upright members 116, as shown in FIG. 3, and then fastened by way of suitable fasteners 172. The fasteners 172 may comprise any suitable device for fixating adjacent top members 160, 164, 168 onto the mount legs 148. In some embodiments, for example, the fasteners 172 comprise bolts, nuts, and washers, without limitation, that may be inserted through holes (not shown) in the ends of the top members 160, 164, 168, as well as the holes 156 in the mount legs 148. Upon installing the washers and tightening the nuts, the top members 160, 164, 168 may be fastened onto the upright members 116, as shown in FIG. 2.

With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the front base member 136 supports the bench seat 128. In some embodiments, the bench seat 128 may be fastened onto T-shaped supports 176 that are fastened to the front base member 136. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the T-shaped support 176 includes a horizontal portion 180 coupled to a vertical portion 184. The horizontal portion 180 is configured to support the bench seat 128. To this end, the horizontal portion 180 includes holes 188 whereby the bench seat 128 may be fastened onto the T-shaped support 176. For example, in some embodiments, the bench seat 128 comprises wooden planks that may be bolted or screwed onto the T-shaped support 176 by way of hardware fasteners, such as bolts or screws, that are inserted through the holes 188. The hardware fasteners may comprise any device suitable for fixating the bench seat 128 to the horizontal portion 180 of the T-shaped supports 176, without limitation.

The vertical portion 184 is configured to slide onto a mount post 192 comprising the front base member 136, as shown in FIG. 4. As will be appreciated, the front base member 136 includes a number of mount posts 192 that equals the number of T-shaped supports 176 utilized to support the bench seat 128. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-5, each mount post 192 includes holes 196 that align with holes 198 disposed in the T-shaped supports 176. The holes 196, 198 are configured to receive fasteners 200 for attaching the T-shaped supports 176 onto the mount posts 192, such that the bench seat 128 is fixedly attached to the front base member 136, as shown in FIG. 2. In general, the fasteners 200 may comprise any suitable device for attaching the bench seat 128 to the front base member 136. In some embodiments, for example, the fasteners 200 comprise bolts, nuts, and washers, without limitation, that may be inserted through the holes 196, 198 and tightened.

Turning, again, to FIG. 2, the table 104 comprises a tabletop 204 supported by way of a table support frame 208. The tabletop 204 may comprise a single component that provides a horizontal surface, or the tabletop 204 may comprise a multiplicity of components that may be assembled to form a horizontal surface. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the tabletop 204 comprises a series of planks formed of a suitably rigid material, such as wood, that are laid in parallel and fastened onto the table support frame 208. The table support frame 208 may comprise a rectangular stainless-steel frame that is arranged underneath the tabletop 204 to provide stability to the table 104. Suitable arrangements of the table support frame 208 under the tabletop 204 will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is contemplated that portions of the rectangular stainless-steel frame comprising the table support frame 208 may be welded by a manufacturer and then the portions may be assembled by a practitioner, such as an end-user.

As disclosed hereinabove, the top frame 112 supports multiple suspended chairs 124 in positions around the table 104 that are suitable for seating practitioners of the table 104. Each suspended chair 124 includes a seat portion 212 that is supported on both sides by a front chain 216 and a rear chain 220 that join a long chain 224 that extends upwards to the top frame 112. The seat portions 212 may comprise any material rigid enough to support the weight of a seated practitioner. In some embodiments, for example, the seat portions 212 comprise one or more wooden planks that are fastened onto the front and rear chains 216, 220. As shown in FIG. 2, the front chains 216 are attached to corners of the seat portion 212 that are nearest the table 104 while the rear chains 220 are attached to outside corners of the seat portion 212. As will be appreciated, attaching the front and rear chains 216, 220 to the corners of the seat portion 212 prevents the seat portion 212 from tipping over and thus provides stability to the suspended chair 124.

The long chains 224 extend from the front and rear chains 216, 220 upward to the top frame 112. In general, the long chains 224 are configured to support the total weight of the suspended chair 124 and the seated practitioner. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the long chains 224 are fastened to the top frame 112 by way of fasteners 228. The fasteners 228 may comprise any device that is suitable for attaching the long chains 224 to the top frame 112 and supporting the weight of seated practitioners. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fastener 228 for attaching the long chain 224 to the top frame 112. The illustrated fastener 228 comprises an eye bolt 232, at least one washer 236, and a nut 240. As shown in FIG. 6, the eye bolt 232 is coupled with the long chain 244 while a threaded shaft 244 comprising the eye bolt 232 is inserted through the top frame 112 and threadably coupled with the nut 240. Further a washer 236 is disposed on top and bottom of the top frame 112 to provide additional structural integrity to the fastener 228. Other variations of the fastener 228 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

While the suspended dining table and chairs and methods have been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the suspended dining table and chairs is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the suspended dining table and chairs. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process, when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the suspended dining table and chairs, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the suspended dining table and chairs found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a dining table and chairs, the apparatus comprising: a table disposed between a base frame and a top frame;multiple upright members for supporting the table;one or more chairs suspended from the top frame; anda bench seat supported by the base frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a table support member is disposed between each corner of the table and at least one of the multiple upright members.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top frame supports the one or more chairs in positions around the table that are suitable for seating practitioners at the table.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bench seat is configured to provide seating to two or more practitioners at the table.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein any one or more of the base frame, the top frame, the multiple upright members, and the table support members comprise a rectangular stainless-steel frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base frame and the top frame each has four equal-length sides, such that the dining table and chairs has a perimeter footprint shape comprising a square shape.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the base frame and the top frame has other than four sides, such that the perimeter footprint shape is other than the square shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein two opposite sides of the base frame and the top frame have a length that differs from the length of the adjacent sides, and thus the perimeter footprint shape of the dining table and chairs comprises a quadrilateral shape.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base frame comprises a front base member, at least one side base member, and a rear base member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein opposite ends of each of the front base member, the at least one side base member, and the rear base member are configured to be fixedly coupled with the multiple upright members.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top frame comprises a front top member, at least one side top member, and a rear top member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein opposite ends of each of the front top member, the at least one side top member, and the rear top member are configured to be fixedly coupled with the multiple upright members.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bench seat comprises one or more wooden planks that are fastened onto T-shaped supports that are coupled with a front base member comprising the base frame.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more chairs each includes a seat portion that is supported on both sides by a front chain and a rear chain that join a long chain that extends upwards to the top frame.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the table comprises a tabletop that is supported by way of a table support frame.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the table support frame comprises a rectangular stainless-steel frame that is arranged underneath the tabletop.

17. A method for a dining table and chair, comprising: assembling a base frame and a top frame;disposing multiple upright members between the base frame and the top frame;supporting a table by way of the multiple upright members;suspending one or more chairs from the top frame; andsupporting a bench seat by way of the base frame.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein supporting the table includes disposing a table support member between each corner of the table and at least one of the multiple upright members.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein supporting the table includes coupling a table support frame to the table support members.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein suspending the one or more chairs includes suspending the one or more chairs in positions around the table that are suitable for seating practitioners at the table.