Patent Grant
7373889
1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to recreational furniture and, more particularly, to tables and benches for collapsed storage or for portable recreational use.
2. The Relevant Technology
Seating and tables have been the subject of numerous designs in furniture over a millennia. Furniture within homes, offices, and other places of meeting may be large, heavy, unwieldy, and may even be assembled in-place. However, another class of seating and tables exists.
Portable, or storable, tables and seating have been used for decades if not centuries. Stools, foldable assemblies, drop-down work spaces (tables, workbenches), and so forth have been the subject of many designs. Banquet tables are often manufactured to be readily collapsible in order to facilitate rapid setup and takedown, storage, moving, and the like.
Similarly, recreational tables have been developed over many years. Recreational tables may be fixed in place. For example, concrete, wood, metal, and the like have been used as the frames, top surfaces, and so forth in tables. Durability has been a major factor in the construction of recreational tables for outdoor use. To a lesser extent, portability has become a factor in the design and construction of recreational tables.
Tables are frequently used in conjunction with chairs. Typically, benches are more efficient than chairs in the ability to seat numerous persons at a table. However, benches need stability. Moreover, benches tend to be quite heavy. An individual chair may be made in a size and weight to be readily transportable, foldable (collapsible), storable, and the like. By contrast, a bench becomes an article of a size similar to that of a table. Moreover, stability often dictates a size or weight that is not readily adaptable to be portable or storable.
Tables have become more portable, collapsible, storable, and the like in more recent years. However, most systems for picnic-type tables are not collapsible, readily storable, lightweight, or the like. Certain small systems have become prevalent in recent years. However, the size and utility of such collapsible systems has been marginal.
Storage is a matter of space, weight, and the availability of people to store and deploy equipment. Tables that are too large become difficult to store without the use of several people. Moreover, storage of tables, benches, chairs, etc., may demand substantial space.
What is needed is a readily storable, collapsible table system having seating integrated therein. For example, it would be advantageous to have a table with a bench integrated within the table. Preferably, the bench could remain within the envelope (projected area or space requirement) of the table when stored. Likewise, it would be advantageous to have a bench that may remain nested within a table during storage.
In certain situations, tables are used for serving, display, and the like. In such situations, seating is not required. Nevertheless, a table that is integrated with a bench or other seating typically deploys to space the seating somewhat away from the table itself. Accordingly, such a table tends to be heavy, bulky, and keeps viewers or passersby a distance away from the table. Accordingly, a table used for display or serving is not easily viewed with attached benches deployed at knee or shin level for a passerby, keeping such passersby away from the table top.
What is needed is a table that is collapsible but capable of containing its own seating. Moreover, it would be advantageous if the seating could be selectively deployed or stored within the envelope of the table without affecting the ability of the table to be used without deployment of the benches.
Also, it would be advantageous to have the benches separable from the table. For example, although benches and tables are often used in conjunction with one another, it may be advantageous to use benches independently from the table. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to remove benches from the table for placement in another desirable location.
For example, around a campfire, or other recreational center of activity, a bench may be necessary or desirable. If benches must remain attached to a table in order for either one or both to be functional, then freedom to move the benches to a more desirable location is substantially limited. It would be advantageous in the art to have a table that may be deployed independently from its benches. Nested storage whether during transportation, or storage during the actual independent deployment of the table alone with the benches unneeded, would be a substantial advantage. Such a system in a size to be functionally equivalent to a banquet or picnic table, and of a weight suitable for portability would be very desirable.
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a readily collapsible table and bench system that is completely nested within the envelope of the table. In one embodiment, a table may contain legs secured to pivot from an end of a table. For example, a pedestal may be formed having one or more legs extending from a frame of a table to a foot for placement on a surface. The pedestal or legs may extend from an end of a table toward the ground or surface for supporting the table.
Alternatively, the pedestal or legs may extend from the table, or an underside thereof, at a point spaced away from the end of the table. For example, banquet tables may advantageously have additional access for persons to sit at the end thereof if a table leg or pedestal is spaced away from the end of the table. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a table and bench system may be constructed to have a leg or pedestal extending away from the table toward a supporting surface, but secured at a distance spaced from an end of a table and designed to permit seating of a user at the end of the table.
Consistent with the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus and method are disclosed, in suitable detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. In certain embodiments an apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention may include an upper surface formed of wood, plastic, or other material selected for weight, strength, and the like.
Moreover, the table may have reinforcement by way of a stringer or rail in order to improve the section modulus, stiffness and strength of the table. Benches may also have stringers or rails extending therealong. In an alternative embodiment, the section modulus of the table, or bench, or both may be improved by changing the thickness or width of the principal body thereof in order to obtain structural materials spaced as far as possible from the neutral axis (extend the outermost fiber). As a practical matter, the legs or pedestals of the table and bench, as well as the feet associated with those pedestals, may be formed of metal, and may be designed to have a tubular cross-section for improving strength minimizing weight.
A system of latches, detents, and the like may be formed along an underside of the table in order to latch the benches into place, secure the legs of the benches and the legs of the table to remain secured against the underside of the table, and so forth.
The table and benches may be formed of wood, metal, such as extrusions or expanded metal, whether steel or aluminum, and the like. Moreover, the tables, benches, or both may be fabricated of certain plastics, for example, the table top and the bench tops may be formed of blow-molded or vacuum formed polymeric resins. Alternatively, large expanses of sophisticated cross-section may be formed in a tumble-molding operation. The section modulus of the table may be improved by blow molding or tumble molding.
Also, in certain embodiments, the tables, bench, or both may be filled with expanded polymeric materials, such as expanded polystyrene or expanded urethane in order to against bucking failure of hollow sections. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of a plastic table or plastic bench may be substantially increased to provide sufficient stiffness and strength without interior stiffeners such as expanded plastics or polymers or with fewer stiffeners.
In an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention, the table includes a table top having a cavity that is configured with an internal periphery sufficient for receiving one or more seat members therein when the table is positioned in a collapsed position. In operation, the support pedestals of the table may be pivoted from an extended position into a collapsed position, such that the pedestals are introduced within the internal periphery of the cavity and substantially rest against the underside of the table top. In one presently preferred embodiment, the seat members are preferably introduced within the internal periphery of the cavity of the table top in such a manner so as to secure the support pedestals of the table in the collapsed position during storage of the table.
In particular, the collapsible table is selectively positionable between a first upright position above a surface and a second collapsible position for storage. The support pedestals of the table and one or more seat members may be selectively retained within an internal periphery of a cavity formed in the table top. Specifically, the disposition of the seat members within the cavity and in relation to each other provides a means for also securing the support pedestals of the table in the collapsed position within the cavity for storage. The present invention also contemplates a collapsible table which does not include a cavity that is configured to receive the support pedestals and the seat members, but rather comprises sufficient hardware to securely fasten the support pedestals of the table and the corresponding seat members into selective engagement with the underside of the table top.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in
Those of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various modifications to the details of the Figures may easily be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Thus, the following description of the Figures is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain presently preferred embodiments consistent with the invention as claimed.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the principal frame 16, 18 of the table 12 and the bench 14, respectively, may be formed of metal, such as an extrusion. However, the entire surface 20 of the table, the surface 21 of the bench, and the like, may be formed as a single piece to include the respective frames 16, 18 in a metal stamping. In one presently preferred embodiment, the top surface 20, 21 of the table 12 and the bench 14, respectively, may be formed of expanded metal. In another alternative embodiment, a reinforced, crimped, solid sheet may be used, stiffened with proper changes in section modulus by corrugation, and the like.
In certain embodiments, the top surface 20, 21 of the table 12 and the bench 14, respectively, may be formed of wood, with a metal rail as the frame 16, 18, respectively. In one presently preferred embodiment, the entire frame 16 of the table 12, along with the surface 20 may be formed of a resin, by blow-molding, vacuum-forming, tumble-molding, or the like. Similarly, the bench 14, and more particularly the frame 18 and top surface 21, may be formed by any of the same or similar methods. As will be appreciated, the table 12 and the bench 14 need not be manufactured by the same process.
However, as a practical matter, lightweight plastic structures may be formed to render the table 12 and the benches 14 readily transportable. Inasmuch as an easy deployment is desirable, and a simple collapse and storage is desirable, for any table 12 and bench 14, plastic resins are to be preferred in certain embodiments. Moreover, minimizing the number of persons required and the strength required of a person in order to deploy and collapse a table 12, one or more benches 14, or both, is very desirable. Therefore, hollow structures may be preferred, and may be more readily available by such forming methods as stamping of metals, vacuum forming of resin sheets, blow-molding of hollow structures, and tumble-molding of complex, hollow structures.
In one presently preferred embodiment, a pedestal 22 may support a table 12. A pedestal 22 attached at each end of the table, or close by, may be formed having legs 24 or a single leg 24. To maximize strength and stability, while minimizing weight, the legs 24 may be spaced apart and two or more may be used. The leg 24 may be pivoted at an axle 26 securing the legs 24 (e.g., the pedestal 22) to the table 12, as best shown in
As a practical matter, a brace 30 or strut 30 may be provided to selectively collapse and deploy for strengthening and stiffening the structural assembly comprising the table 12 and pedestal 22. The brace 30 may extend from the foot 28 to the table 12, or from some other location along a leg 24 and the table 12. In one presently preferred embodiment, the brace 30 may be formed in multiple pieces 32, 34 associated with the table 12, and leg 24 or foot 28, respectively. The brace 30 may be designed to slide along a rail 36 or stringer 36 extending along a central portion of the table 12 and generally extending from end to end. However, in an alternative embodiment, the brace 30 may simply break (pivot) at some intermediate point between the table 12 and the pedestal 22 upon release of a lock, or upon pushing a break-over-center-type pivot from a stable, deployed position, to an unstable, collapsing position.
The frame 16, 18 need not be formed completely flat or smooth. For example, a rim 38 may be formed to extend around the entire perimeter of the table 12, as shown in
The benches 14 may include pedestals 42 having one or more legs 44. The pedestals 42 may extend downwardly from each opposing end of the bench, or may be placed at a location spaced from the end of the bench 14. The legs 44 may be secured to respective axles 46 extending therethrough and secured to the frame 18 of the bench. Nevertheless, various types of fastening arrangements may be provided, commensurate with the sizes of benches 14, legs 44, pedestals 42, and the relationships thereof with the dimensions of the table 12.
In one embodiment, the legs 44 may be secured to axles 46 forming pivots 46 near the opposing ends of the benches 14. The legs 44 may extend downward to be secured (e.g., welded, bolted, fastened, etc.) to a foot 48. The foot 48 may extend along a supporting surface to provide stability. Moreover, “floatation” may be provided in that a foot 48 may distribute stress on a supporting surface, preventing sinking of a leg 44 into the ground, for example. Also, a foot 48, particularly if formed of a right, circular, cylindrical tubing, may facilitate moving a bench 14 on a supporting surface. Similarly, a foot 28 of a pedestal 22 corresponding to a table 12 may be similarly relied upon to provide easy sliding of the foot 28 on a surface supporting the table 12. Rectangular tubing may be used to similar advantage in forming any or all portions of the pedestals 22, 42.
A brace 50 may extend from a bench 14 to a pedestal 42. The brace 50 may provide stiffening and support, similar to that provided by the brace 30 to the table 12. The brace 50 may be formed in multiple pieces 32, 34 to be collapsible. Alternatively, the brace 50 may be formed to latch and release selectively along a rail 56 or stringer 56 extending along the length of the bench 14. That is, in certain embodiments of the present invention, lightweight may dictate minimizing dimensions of materials in the bench surface 21 and table surface 20. Accordingly, one or more stringers 36, 56 may be deployed to extend along the lengths of the table 12 and the benches 14, respectively. In one embodiment, such a rail 36, 56 may be formed of a worked metal piece. Alternatively, a reinforced polymeric composite may be used. In one embodiment, a deep section of the principal material from which the table 12 or the bench 14 is formed may be extended to make a rail 36, 56 or stringer 36, 56. Thus, the brace 30, 50 may be fabricated to collapse to a stored, folded condition, and to extend and lock in a deployed triangulating position stabilizing the respective support pedestal 22, 42. Nevertheless, a sliding arrangement may also be used, to include a key, notch, latch, or other binding mechanism to fix an end of the brace 30, 50 against the rail 36, 56, or against the respective table 12 or the bench 14, as appropriate.
The rim 38 may extend about the perimeter of the table 12 in order add section modulus, to extend the outer most fiber, in engineering terms, to a maximum distance away from a neutral axis (e.g., center with respect to the load). Similarly, the section modulus of the upper surface 20, 21 of the table 12 and the bench 14, respectively, may be increased by adding a rim 60 extending near a top of the surface 20, 21. As a practical matter, a modest boss 60 or rim 60 may be provided without discomfiting a user seated at a table.
A length 62 of an outer envelope of a table 12 may be selected to accommodate users. Certain ergonomic factors may be used to design the length 62 in order to accommodate a specific number of users. For example, a table may be designed to provide a specific distance or space for each user, and a specific number of users. Such factors may dictate eighteen (18) inches, or twenty-two (22) inches, depending on some preselected comfort factor, as a width suitable for each average person. Accordingly, the length 62 may be a multiple of a width of a theoretical single individual. As best shown in
Referring back to
The thickness 66 on the outside of the envelope of the table 12 may be selected to support the table by providing section modulus or stiffness. Also, the thickness 66 may be designed to accommodate the size of a user seated on a bench 14, along with the proper altitude for positioning the top surface 20 of the table 12.
A thickness 68, interior to the table 12 may be selected to contain a bench the pedestal 42 thereof, and the pedestal 22 of the table 12, itself. As a practical matter, suitable legs 24, 44 may be fabricated from steel tubing having an outer diameter of approximately 1 inch. In certain embodiments, the legs 24, 44 may be formed along with the feet 28, 48, respectively, to have a diameter of approximately 2 inches. However, for storage, compactness, and the like, additional wall thickness may be provided for each of the pedestals 22, 42 in order to sustain smaller outer diameters. Thus, the height 68 of the interior cavity 69 may be selected to secure any of the hardware of the table 12 and the bench 14 desired during storage, deployment, or both.
As illustrated in
The thickness 76 of each bench 14 may be selected to provide the proper strength and stiffness for comfortably supporting the number of users designed into the lengths 72 of the bench 14. As a practical matter, the thickness 76 may be influenced substantially by the dimension and material selected for a stringer 56, if present. Thus, a rail 56 or stringer 56 may stiffen the bench 14, thereby minimizing the thickness 76 required of the bench 14. The length 72 and height 73 of the bench 14 may be selected to comfortably seat users. The length 72 should also be selected to fit within the length 63 inside the envelope of the table 12.
Attachment of the pedestals 42, 22 to the bench 14 and the table 12, respectively, may be made by a variety of methods. In one embodiment, a bracket 80 may be formed into or secured to the table 12. An axle 82 may be formed to secure a leg 24 to the bracket 80. The bracket 80 may be formed as part of the frame 16 of the table 12, or may be an isolated part, such as a metal bracket 80 secured by a fastener to the table 12. In one embodiment, an axle 82 may secure a leg 24 into a bracket 80 with a nut 84 securing the axle 82 into the bracket 80. A pivot 86 may be provided on a rail 36 or stringer 36. Similarly, one or more pivots 88 may be provided on a leg 24 or pedestal 22, including the foot 28. The brace 30 may be shorter if connected only between a leg 24 and the table 12. The brace 30 may be substantially longer, but provide increased leverage if connected from the foot 28 to the table 12. As discussed, the pivot 86 positioned at the table 12 or on the rail 36 may be made to slide along the rail 36, or may be fixed at a single location. In one embodiment, a pivot 88 may be secured at one or more points to a leg 24 or legs 24. Meanwhile, the brace 30 may break at a pivot 90 in order to collapse and fold against a table 12 or over a rail 36.
In one embodiment, ears 92 may be formed to secure the brace 30 to the pedestal 22, the rail 36, or the table 12. A clevis-type arrangement may be desirable in order to provide suitable clearances. Alternatively, close clearances and tolerances may provide riveted pivots 86, 88, 90 dispensing with any separate ears 92, 94. For example, method bending techniques may provide a brace 30 formed entirely by stamping steel sheets into an appropriate cross-section for stiffness, strength, and the like. Ears, attachment points, apertures, and the like, may be provided in similar stamping operations by punch presses, bending brakes, and the like.
Referring to
The benches 14 are designed to nest within one or more cavities 69 formed within the envelope of the table 12. In
Referring to
Referring to
The length 72 of the bench 14 is designed to fit within the cavity 69 on the underside of the table 12. The height 68 of the table 12 may be on the order of thirty (30) to thirty-four (34) inches high in one presently preferred embodiment. The height 73 of the bench 14 may be approximately twenty (20) inches. The overall length 62 of the table 12 may be six (6) feet or eight (8) feet, in various, alternative embodiments. In one embodiment, the table length 62 may be four (4) feet. The width 74 of each bench 14 may be twelve (12) inches or more. If the overall width 64 of the table 12 is approximately thirty (30) inches, then the overall width or length 29 of each of the feet 28 of the benches 14 may be selected to be approximately half the width 64, or actually half the interior width 65 of the table 12. If the relief 70 is provided within the frame 16 of the table 12 in order to receive the feet 48 of the benches 14, then the overall length 49 of the feet 48 of the benches 14, may be, nominally, half the full outside width 64 of the table 12, approximately fifteen (15) inches. Thus, in one embodiment, a foot 48 may have a length 49 of fifteen (15) inches, with a width 74 of the seat 14 or bench 14 of twelve (12) inches, providing additional stability. Extensions may be provided for the feet 48, for extending outwardly in order to preclude tipping of the benches 14. Alternatively, the feet 48 may be offset somewhat, rather than centered, in order to provide more of a foot 48 extending behind a user.
Referring to
Referring to
However, in certain alternative embodiments, latches, clips, keys, detents, and the like may be provided for securing the benches 14 and pedestals 42 thereof independently from the pedestals 22 of the table 12. Thus, the benches 14 may remain secured and nested within the table 12, even while the table 12 is deployed for use.
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In the embodiment of
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A lock, or stabilizer 91 may support the pieces 32, 34 with respect to one another and stabilize them with respect to one another. Various mechanisms known in the art are available for locking the pivot 90 to form a rigid brace 30, 50 made of the upper piece 32 and lower piece 34.
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In general, it may be seen that a table apparatus 10 in accordance with invention may be fabricated to secure benches nested within the envelope of a table top. Meanwhile, the benches may be formed of wood, metal, plastic, and the like. A table top may be formed by any of several mechanisms from a resin (polymers), metal, or wood. In one, presently preferred, lightweight embodiment, the tables and benches may be formed of plastic in a hollow structure. The hollow structure may be filled with foam where desired, and left evacuated where desired. Double walls, single walls, and the like may be used to form the table top 20 and the bench top 21. Cavities and recesses may be formed at will within the bottom surface of the table top 20, and the bottom surface of the bench top 21. Accordingly, the legs may be accommodated with brackets 80 formed into the table top 20 and bench top 21, or may have metal or other material selected for forming brackets to be attached to a table top 20 or bench or bench top 21, respectively. In one presently preferred embodiment, an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention may be formed to be carried by a single individual. Two individuals may easily carry a nested pair of benches 14 within a table 12. The single individual may deploy the benches 14 and the table 12 once positioned in an area for use.
From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a table and bench system 10, in which each bench 14 is separately deployable from the other bench 14, and from the table 12. The benches 14 are separable from one another and from the table 12. The benches 14 may be nested alone or together within the table 12. A recess formed in the table top 20 may provide for storage of the benches 14 within the overall envelope of the table top 20. The table 12 may be used with full functionality with the benches stored within the table envelope, or with the benches deployed, removed, or positioned elsewhere for other uses. The benches 14, may be separately useable without the tables, by removal from their nested locations in a cavity 69 of a table 12. The entire bench 14 is collapsible for storage. The entire table 14 is collapsible for storage. The benches 14 are collapsible within the table structure 12 for storage. Nevertheless, the benches 14 and the table 12 do not require each other for any structural mechanism for support during deployment and use.
Referring now to
In one embodiment of the apparatus 210, the frame 216, 218 of the table 212 and the seating member 214, respectively, may be formed of metal, using a method such as an extrusion. A table top 220, a bench seat 221, or both may be formed as single pieces which include the respective frames 216, 218 using a method or technique such as stamping. In another embodiment, the table top 220 and bench seat 221 may be formed of expanded metal. Moreover, a reinforced, crimped, solid sheet may be used, stiffened with proper changes in section modulus by corrugation, and the like.
Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the table top 220 and bench seat 221 may be formed of wood, with a rail as the frame 216, 218, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment of
Preferably, lightweight plastic structures may be formed to render the table 212 and seating members 214 readily transportable. Inasmuch as an easy deployment is desirable, and a simple collapse and storage of the apparatus 210 is desirable, for any table 212 and seating member 214, plastic resins are preferred in those certain embodiments. Moreover, minimizing the number of persons required and the strength required of anyone or more persons to deploy or collapse the table 212, the seating member 214, or both is very desirable. Therefore, hollow, lightweight structures are preferred, and may be more readily available by such forming methods as stamping of metals, vacuum forming of resin sheets, blow-molding of hollow structures, and tumble-molding of complex, hollow resin structures.
Referring to
To maximize strength and stability, while minimizing the weight of the collapsible table 212, the opposing ends of the legs 24 of the pedestals 222 are spaced apart from each other. As best shown in
Still referring to
Structurally, each of the legs 244 may be selectively positioned to project substantially outward from the underside of the seat support member 242. In one presently preferred embodiment, the legs 244 may be formed having a foot 248 secured at each of the opposing ends of the legs 244. Similar to the foot 228 preferably adapted to engage the opposing ends of the leg 224 of the pedestals 222 of the table 212, the foot 248 may be formed of plastic, rubber, or metallic material that is configured to engage the opposing ends of each of the legs 244. Moreover, “floatation” may be provided in that the foot 248 may distribute stress on an underlying surface, thereby preventing sinking of either opposing end of the legs 244 into the ground, for example. The foot 248 may also provide easy sliding of the foot 248 on the surface supporting the seating member 214 when disposed in an upright position.
A rim 238 is preferably formed to extend about the perimeter of the table top 220. Structurally, the rim 238 adds section modulus to the table top 220 by extending the outermost fiber, in engineering terms, to a maximum distance away from a neutral axis (e.g., center with respect to a load). Similarly, the section modulus of the table top 220 may be increased by adding a beveled edge 239 between the table top 220 and the rim 238.
Likewise, a rim 240 may be formed to extend about the perimeter of the seating member 214. The rim 240 would therefore add section modulus to the seating member 214 in the same manner as the rim 238 adds section modulus to the table top 220. Correspondingly, the section modulus of the bench seat 221 of the seating member 214 may be increased by adding a beveled edge 241 between the bench seat 221 and the rim 240 of the seating member 214.
Referring now specifically to
A width 265 of an outer envelope of the table 212 may be selected to meet ergonomic criteria, similar to those selected for the length 262. For example, sufficient width 265 may be provided such that a user may be seated at an end of the table top 220. Accordingly, the width 265 may be selected to accommodate a user at opposing ends of the table 212 without displacing other users along the length 262 of the table top 220.
Referring now to
The thickness 266 of the outside of the envelope of the table top 220 may be determined by the section modulus or stiffness required to sufficiently support a load on the rim 238 of the table 212. Also, the thickness 266 may be determined by the size of a user seated on a seating member 214, along with the proper altitude 267 for positioning the table top 220 in relation to the seating member 214 and an underlying surface. A thickness 268 of the interior of the envelope of the table 212 is preferably formed having sufficient dimension to retain the pedestals 222 of the table 212 and at least one seating member 214, together with the seat support member 242 thereof. Moreover, in one presently preferred embodiment, the thickness 268 of the interior envelope of the table 212 has a dimensional thickness 268 sufficient for retaining the pedestals 222 of the table 212 and at two seating members 214. The thickness 268 of the interior cavity 269 of the table 212 may also be configured in dimension to secure any of the hardware of the table 212 and the seating member 214 desired during storage, deployment, or both.
Correspondingly, the thickness 276 of each seating member 214 may be selected to provide the proper strength and stiffness for comfortably supporting one or more users thereon which also correlates to the length 272 of the seating member 214, as best shown in
Referring now to
In one preferred embodiment, the second support leg 254 may be formed having a general V-shaped configuration and comprising opposing ends that are adapted to pivotally engage the corresponding portions of the first support leg 224. A pivot pin 278 may be operably disposed in pivotal engagement between the first support leg 224 and the second support leg 254 of the pedestal 222. In operation, the fixed relationship of the second support leg 254 in relation to the underside of the table top 220 and the pivotal relationship between the first support leg 224 and the second support leg 254 facilitates the selective disposition extended position such that the table 212 is disposed in an upright position and a retracted position such that the table 212 is disposed in a collapsed position.
As best shown in
In one presently preferred embodiment as illustrated in
When selectively positioning the pedestal 222 from the extended position to the retracted position, the first support leg 224 may be dislodged from its selective engagement with the fastener 281 such that the first support leg 224 and the second support leg 254 pivot about the axis of the pivot pin 278 in such a manner so as to nest within the internal periphery of the envelope of the table 212. As will be appreciated, depending upon the length 263 of the interior cavity 269 of the table 212, the opposing ends of each of the first support legs 224 of the pedestals 222 may be disposed in such a manner so as to be offset from each other when introduced into the interior cavity 269 of the table 212. Preferably, when the pedestals 222 are positioned in the retracted position, the first and second support legs 224, 254 sufficiently nest within the interior cavity 269 of the envelope of the table 212.
The brackets 280 that selectively engage and retain the first support leg 224 of each of the opposing pedestal 222 may be formed aspall of the frame 216 of the table 212 or, in the alternative, may be formed as separate parts. In one presently preferred embodiment, the brackets 280 are formed of a sufficiently rigid material (i.e. metal, fiberglass, wood, plastic, or the like) and preferably comprise a first arm secured to the underside of the table 212 and a second opposing arm secured to an internal portion of rim 238.
Referring specifically to
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In one presently preferred embodiment, the second support leg 253 is formed having a general V-shaped configuration and comprises opposing ends that are adapted to pivotally engage the corresponding opposing ends of the first support leg 244. Preferably, a pivot pin 279 may be operably disposed in pivotal engagement between the first support leg 244 and the second support leg 253 of the seat support member 242. In operation, the fixed relationship of the second support leg 253 to the underside of the bench seat 221 and the pivotal connection between the second support leg 253 and the first support leg 244 facilitates the selective disposition of the seat support member 242 between an extended position such that the seating member 214 is disposed in an extended position and a retracted position such that the seating member 214 is disposed in a collapsed position.
As best shown in
As discussed above, the second support leg 253 is preferably formed having a longer midsection between its opposing ends such that the first support leg 244 may substantially fit within the internal periphery of the second support leg 253 when the seat support member 242 is positioned in the retracted position. One presently preferred structural arrangement between the support legs 244, 253 of the seat support member 242 may include an elongated slot 282 formed in a section of the length of the second support leg 253, as best shown in
Referring back to
Still referring to
A perspective view of the underside of the table top 220 of the table 212 is illustrated in
As best shown in
Referring now to
When the seating members 214 are collapsed adjacent to the already collapsed pedestals 222 of the table 212, the interior cavity 269 of the envelope of the table 212 may generally house both the pedestals 222 and the seating members 214 therein. One may think of the envelope of a cross-section of structure that would be taken by an elastic band completely encircling the object in question. Thus, a table top 220 may define a straight line portion of an envelope. The size and shape of the frame 216 may define another portion of the envelope of a table 212. If the pedestals 222 and the seat support members 242 nest completely within a table, then a straight line extending across the frame 216 of the table 212 may define another edge of the envelope of the table 212.
With the pedestals 222 and the seating members 214 selectively disposed in the retracted position within the interior cavity 269 of the table top 220, the first support legs 244 of the seat support members 242 may be selectively secured in relation to the underside of the table top 220 by the retaining member 284, as described above. When a user wishes to secure the collapsible table and bench apparatus 210 in the collapsed position, the first support legs 244 of each of the seat support members 242 are engaged by the retaining member 284 which pivotally engages a section of the leg 244 of each seating member 214.
As best shown in
In certain alternative embodiments of the present invention, a latch, clip, key, detent, and the like may be utilized to secure the seating members 214 within the cavity 269 of the table top 220 independently thereof, if desired. Accordingly, although the illustrated embodiments include frames 216, 218 of the table 212 and the seating member 242, respectively, and the table top 220 includes an interior cavity 269, it will be appreciated that the collapsible bench and table apparatus as contemplated herein may have these features absent. In particular, the table top 220 and bench seat 221 may be essentially flat in configuration and each comprise one or more retention mechanisms to support and selectively engage the pedestals 222 and seating members 214.
In one presently preferred embodiment, the table 212 and the seating members 214 may be formed of plastic with a hollow structure. The hollow structure may be filled with foam where desired, and left evacuated where desired. Double walls, single walls, and the like may be used to form the table top 220 and the seat 221. Cavities and recesses or kiss-offs may be formed within the underside of the table top 220 and the bench seat 221 to add additional structural integrity to the table 212 and the seating member 214, respectively.
From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a novel collapsible table and bench apparatus 210, in which each of the seating members 214 are separately deployable from the other seating member 214 and from the table 212. The seating members 214 may be nested alone or together in relation to the table top 220 of the table 212.
In operation, the seating members 214 may be separately useable from the table 212 by removal from their nested positions in the cavity 269 of the table top 220 and deployed. Correspondingly, the seating members 214 and the table 212 do not require each other for any structural mechanism for support during deployment and use above a surface.
In one presently preferred embodiment, the collapsible table and bench apparatus 210 in accordance with the invention may be formed to be carried by a single individual when disposed in the collapsed position. Moreover, a single user may deploy the seating members 214 and the table 212 once positioned in an area for use without requiring the aid of another.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/190,275, and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,178, which was filed on Jul. 5, 2002, entitled COLLAPSIBLE TABLE WITH BOLD MOLDED TABLE TOP, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/584,556, which was filed on May 31, 2000, entitled COLLAPSIBLE TABLE HAVING NESTED SEAT MEMBERS and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,521, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/150,448, which was filed on Sep. 9, 1998, entitled NESTED, INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYABLE BENCH AND TABLE APPARATUS AND METHOD and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,687, which are all incorporated by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20050269845 A1 | Dec 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10190275 | Jul 2002 | US |
| Child | 11204082 | US | |
| Parent | 09584556 | May 2000 | US |
| Child | 10190275 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 09150448 | Sep 1998 | US |
| Child | 09584556 | US |
