Picnic table

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a picnic table and, more particularly, to a robust, easy-to-transport, easy-to-make, durable picnic table for indoor and outdoor use.

[0002] There are various picnic tables in public places such as parks, campuses, restaurants and beer houses and private places such as dinning rooms or yards. As most of picnic tables are used outdoors, they are generally made of corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant and strong materials such as metal and wood. Such picnic tables are however heavy, difficult-to-transport and difficult-to-make. It often requires a large space to store and transport such a picnic table because the sizes of its parts are poorly designed. Further, it often requires a trained worker to assemble such parts to make such a picnic table, and this is labor-demanding and expensive.

[0003] In US Patent Specification No. 5,752,450 there is disclosed a picnic table including spaced J-shaped legs,
with each leg including a longer post, a shorter post and a base extending from the longer post to the shorter post ,
with each leg further including a table top support portion at an upper end of the longer post and a bench support portion at an upper end of the shorter post,
a table top including at least one plank supported on the table top support portions of the legs, and
a bench supported on and releasably attached to the bench support portions of the legs.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved picnic table that is robust, easy to transport, easy to assemble and durable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a picnic table as defined in Claim 1.

[0006] In a preferred form, each leg includes a reinforcement ridge extending from the table top support portion to the bench support portion through the longer post, the base, and the shorter post.

[0007] The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a picnic table according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 2 is a side view of the picnic table shown in FIG 1;

FIG 3 is a perspective view of a frame of the picnic table shown in FIG 1;

FIG 4 is a partial, exploded view of the picnic table shown in FIG 1;

FIG 5 is another partial, exploded view of the picnic table shown in FIG 1;

FIG 6 is a perspective view of a picnic table according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 7 is a side view of the picnic table of FIG 6; and

FIG 8 is a perspective view of a picnic table according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a picnic table includes a frame for supporting a table top 30 and two benches 40 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The table top 30 is located between the benches 40. The frame, the table top 30, and the benches 40 are made by mold injection of a recyclable material such as poly propylene ("PP") and poly ethylene ("PE").

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the frame includes two leg units 10 spaced in a longitudinal direction. Each leg unit 10 includes two J-shaped legs 11 each having J-shaped cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each leg 11 includes a longer post 111, a shorter post 112, and a base 113 extending from the longer post 111 to the shorter post 112. Each leg 11 further includes a table top support portion 13 extending from an upper end of the longer post 111 and a bench support portion 14 extending from an upper end of the shorter post 112. Each leg 11 further includes a ridge 15 extending from the table top support portion 13 to the bench support portion 14 through the longer post 111, the base 113, and the shorter post 112. Thus, each leg 11 is reinforced with the ridge 15. In addition, each leg 11 includes a recess 16 defined in an upper face of the table top support portion 13 thereof.

[0011] The frame further includes a crossbar 20 extending in the longitudinal direction, and two pairs of pads 12 provided between the leg units 10. Each end of the crossbar 20 is located between the longer posts 111 of the legs 11 of one of the leg units 10. Each pair of pads 12 is located between the longer posts 111 of the legs 11 of one of the leg units 10. The longer posts 111 of the legs 11 are connected to the pads 12 and the crossbar 20 with screws A. To this end, nuts B are embedded in the pads 12 and the crossbar 20 beforehand. By engaging the screws A with the nuts B, the crossbar 20, the pairs of pads 12, and the legs 11 can easily be assembled. By disengaging the screws A from the nuts B, the crossbar 20, the pairs of pads 12, and the legs 11 can easily be disassembled.

[0012] The table top 30 is preferably made of several planks 34 supported on several bars 31 and two tubes 32 (see FIG 4). In a top view of the table top 30, the length of each of the bars 31 is in perpendicular to the length of each of the planks 34. Thus, the bars 31 provide the table top 30 with reinforcement in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the top view, the length of each of the tubes 32 is in parallel to the length of each of the planks 34. Thus, the tubes 32 provide the table top 30 with reinforcement in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the table top 30 is supported on the table top support portions 13 of the legs 11 with the tubes 32 being received in the recesses 16. A lower face of the table top 30 is in contact with the upper faces of the table top support portions 13 of the legs 11. The table top 30 is connected to the table top support portions 13 of the legs 11 with screws A. To this end, nuts B are embedded in the table top 30 beforehand. By engaging the screws A with the nuts B, the table top 30 and the legs 11 can easily be assembled. By disengaging the screws A from the nuts B, the table top 30 can easily be detached from the legs 11.

[0014] Each of the benches 40 includes at least one plank 42 supported on two angle bars 41 extending in the longitudinal direction (see FIG 5). The length of each angle bar 41 is in parallel to the length thereof. Thus, the angle bars 41 provide the benches 40 with reinforcement in the longitudinal direction. The plank 42 can be wider than the planks 34 or they can be the same.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the benches 40 are supported on the bench support portions 14 of the legs 11. A lower face of each of the benches 40 is in contact with the upper face of the bench support portions 14 of two legs 11 opposite and spaced in the longitudinal direction. The benches 40 are connected to the bench support portions 14 of the legs 11 with screws A. To this end, nuts B are embedded in the benches 40 beforehand. By engaging the screws A with the nuts B, the benches 40 and the legs 11 can easily be assembled. By disengaging the screws A from the nuts B, the benches 40 can easily be detached from the legs 11.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a picnic table according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is like the first embodiment except two things. Firstly, there are three leg units 10. Accordingly, the table top 30 is longer and narrower. The table top 30 is made of two longer planks 34. Similarly, the benches 40 are longer. Secondly, the pads 12 are omitted. The crossbar 20 is received in a recess 17 defined in the longer post 111 of each of the legs 11. There is no gap between the longer posts 111 of the legs 11 of each leg unit 10. A dimension of the picnic table is reduced.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a picnic table according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is like the first embodiment except including only two J-shaped legs 11 and only one bench 40. In the embodiment, each end of the crossbar 20 is connected to the longer post 111 of one of the two legs 11. The table top 30 includes a tube 32 which is received in the recesses 16 of the table top support portions 13 of the two legs 11. The size of the picnic table is reduced.

[0018] The picnic table exhibits several advantages. Firstly, it is robust for including the frame including the J-shaped legs 11 connected to the crossbar 20, the table top 30 and the bench or benches 40 with the screws A.

[0019] Secondly, it is easy to assemble the J-shaped legs 11, the crossbar 20, the table top 30 and the bench or benches 40 with the screws A.

[0020] Thirdly, its transportation and storage is easy since the J-shaped legs 11, the crossbar 20, the table top 30 and the bench or benches 40 are flat elements and can be stacked neatly.

[0021] Fourthly, the color of the table top 30 and that of the bench or benches 40 are a desire's choices to provide an aesthetical appearance since they are made of PP or PE.

[0022] Fifthly, the table top 30 and the bench or benches 40 can be recycled, and this is good for the protection of the environment.

[0023] Sixthly, different sizes can be achieved by changing the amount of the J-shaped legs 11, the amount of the planks 34 of the table top 30, the length of the planks 34 of the table top 30, the length of the bench or benches 40 and the length of the crossbar 20 without having to change the size of the J-shaped legs 11.

[0024] Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A picnic table comprising:

legs (11) spaced in a longitudinal direction, with each leg (11) having J-shaped cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,

with each leg (11) including a longer post (111), a shorter post (112), and a base (113) extending from the longer post (111) to the shorter post (112), with each leg (11) further including a table top support portion (13) extending from an upper end of the longer post (111), and a bench support portion (14) extending from an upper end of the shorter post (112),

a table top (30) including at least one plank (34), the table top (30) being supported on the table top support portions (13) of the legs (11),

a bench (40) releasably attached to and supported on the bench support portions (14) of the legs (11) in the longitudinal direction, and

a crossbar (20) having its ends connected to the longer posts (111) of the legs (11);

characterised in that there are

screws (A) securing the crossbar (20) to the legs (11), securing the table top (30) to the table top support portions (13) of the legs (11), and securing the bench (40) to the bench support portions (14) of the legs (11),

bars (31) for supporting the at least one plank (34) in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and

a tube (32) for supporting the at least one plank (34) in the longitudinal direction,

with a recess (16) in an upper face of each of the table top support portions (13), and

the tube (32) being disposed beneath the table top (30) and received in the recesses (16) of the table top support portions (13).

2. The picnic table according to claim 1, wherein each of the legs (10) includes a ridge (15) extending from the table top support portion (13) to the bench support portion (14) through the longer post (111), the base (113), and the shorter post (112) for reinforcement.

3. The picnic table according to claim 2, further comprising nuts (B) embedded in the crossbar (20), the table top (30), and the bench (40) for engagement with the screws (A).

4. The picnic table according to claim 3, further comprising two pads (12) located between the legs (11), wherein the pads (12) are secured to the legs (11) by screws (A).

5. The picnic table according to claim 3, wherein the bench (40) includes a plank (42) and two angle bars (41) for supporting the plank (42).

Ansprüche

1. Picknicktisch mit
in Längsrichtung beabstandeten Beinen (11), wobei jedes Bein (11) einen J-förmige Querschnitt senkrecht zur Längsrichtung hat,
wobei jedes Bein (11) einen längeren Pfosten (111), einen kürzeren Pfosten (112) und eine Basis (113) aufweist, die sich vom längeren Pfosten (111) zum kürzeren Pfosten (112) erstreckt, wobei jedes Bein (11) ferner einen Tischplattenstützabschnitt (13), der sich von einem oberen Ende des längeren Pfostens (111) erstreckt, und einen Bankstützabschnitt (14) aufweist, der sich von einem oberen Ende des kürzeren Pfostens (112) erstreckt, einer Tischplatte (30), die mindestens eine Planke (34) aufweist und auf den Tischplattenstützabschnitten (13) der Beine (11) abgestützt ist, einer Bank (40), die in der Längsrichtung lösbar an den Bankstützabschnitten (14) der Beine (11) angebracht und auf diesen abgestützt ist, und einer Querstange (20), deren Enden mit den längeren Pfosten (111) der Beine (11) verbunden sind,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
Schrauben (A), die die Querstange (20) an den Beinen (11) befestigen, die Tischplatte (30) an den Tischplattenstützabschnitten (13) der Beine (11) befestigen und die Bank (40) an den Bankstützabschnitten (14) der Beine (11) befestigen,
Stangen (31) zum Abstützen der mindestens einen Planke (34) in einer Querrichtung senkrecht zu der Längsrichtung und
ein Rohr (32) zum Abstützen der mindestens einen Planke (34) in der Längsrichtung vorliegen,
mit einer Aussparung (16) in einer oberen Fläche jedes der Tischplattenstützabschnitte (13) und wobei das Rohr (32) unter der Tischplatte (30) angeordnet und in den Aussparungen (16) der Tischplattenstützabschnitte (13) aufgenommen ist.

2. Picknicktisch nach Anspruch 1, wobei jedes der Beine (10) eine Erhöhung (15) aufweist, die sich zur Verstärkung vom Tischplattenstützabschnitt (13) zum Bankstützabschnitt (14) durch den längeren Pfosten (111), die Basis (113) und den kürzeren Pfosten (112) erstreckt.

3. Picknicktisch nach Anspruch 2, ferner mit Muttern (B), die in der Querstange (20), der Tischplatte (30) und der Bank (40) eingebettet sind, um die Schrauben (A) in Eingriff zu nehmen.

4. Picknicktisch nach Anspruch 3, ferner mit zwei Blöcken (12), die zwischen den Beinen (11) angeordnet und durch Schrauben (A) an den Beinen (11) befestigt sind.

5. Picknicktisch nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Bank (40) eine Planke (42) und zwei Winkelstangen (41) zum Abstützen der Planke (42) aufweist.

Revendications

1. Table de pique-nique, comprenant :

des pieds (11) espacés dans une direction longitudinale, chaque pied (11) ayant des sections transversales en forme de J perpendiculaires à la direction longitudinale,

chaque pied (11) comportant un montant plus long (111), un montant plus court (112) et une base (113) s'étendant depuis le montant plus long (111) jusqu'au montant plus court (112), chaque pied (11) comportant en outre une portion de support de dessus de table (13) s'étendant depuis une extrémité supérieure du montant plus long (111), et une portion de support de banc (14) s'étendant depuis une extrémité supérieure du montant plus court (112),

un dessus de table (30) comportant au moins une planche (34), le dessus de table (30) étant supporté sur les portions de support de dessus de table (13) des pieds (11),

un banc (40) fixé de manière amovible aux portions de support de banc (14) des pieds (11) et supporté sur celles-ci dans la direction longitudinale, et

une traverse (20) dont les extrémités sont connectées aux montants plus longs (111) des pieds (11) ;

caractérisée en ce que

des vis (A) fixent la traverse (20) aux pieds (11), fixent le dessus de table (30) aux portions de support de dessus de table (13) des pieds (11), et fixent le banc (40) aux portions de support de banc (14) des pieds (11),

des barres (31) servent à supporter l'au moins une planche (34) dans une direction transversale perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale, et

un tube (32) sert à supporter l'au moins une planche (34) dans la direction longitudinale,

avec un retrait (16) dans une face supérieure de chacune des portions de support du dessus de table (13), et

le tube (32) étant disposé en dessous du dessus de table (30) et étant reçu dans les retraits (16) des portions de support de dessus de table (13).

2. Table de pique-nique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle chacun des pieds (11) comporte une arête (15) s'étendant depuis la portion de support de dessus de table (13) jusqu'à la portion de support de banc (14) à travers le montant plus long (111), la base (113) et le montant plus court (112) en vue d'assurer un renforcement.

3. Table de pique-nique selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre des écrous (B) encastrés dans la traverse (20), le dessus de table (30) et le banc (40) en vue de s'engager avec les vis (A).

4. Table de pique-nique selon la revendication 3, comprenant en outre deux plages (12) situées entre les pieds (11), les plages (12) étant fixées aux pieds (11) par des vis (A).

5. Table de pique-nique selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle le banc (40) comporte une planche (42) et deux barres coudées (41) pour supporter la planche (42).

Drawing