Modular picnic table

Abstract

A picnic table system is provided that is modular in design for ease of storage out of inclement weather when not in use. A bench assembly sits atop two pedestal-type legs and the top and is supported by the upper portion of the pedestal legs. Both the top and the benches are secured with the use of pegs to form a sturdy structure. When the invention is to be moved, stored for the season, or otherwise not needed, the pegs are simply removed and the resultant four pieces, namely the top, the bench assembly, and the two pedestal legs are stored in an upright, on-end fashion, thus conserving floor or storage space. The ability to store the invention inside during inclement weather or during off season allows for increased life of the invention, thus saving the user replacement or repair costs as well.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 480,778 filed on Oct. 6, 2000. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a table having separable components and, more particularly, to a system having separable, assembled components that form a table and benches.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In the related art, picnic tables can be found in backyards, parks and campgrounds, and rest stops across the country. While most commonly used as an eating table, it is also pressed into service as a food preparation table, a work surface, a meeting table or the like. While the picnic table is certainly useful and versatile, it does suffer from the drawback that it is stored outside at all times, thus it is subjected to the sun's rays, rain wind, and other inclement weather. For those areas with a severe winter season, they are also subjected to snow and reduced temperatures. This extreme weather can induce damage leading to increased repair costs or more frequent replacement costs. Those lucky enough to have a large garage or storage shed can store them inside during the off-season winter months thus extending its life. However, this takes a great deal of storage area due to the large footprint and volume occupied by an assembled picnic table.

[0006] A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related.

[0007] The following patents disclose the design and function of a modular conference table or the like.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,398 issued in the name of Boyce

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. D 290,198 issued in the name of Barber

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. D 253,624 issued in the name of Browne

[0011] The following patents describe a modular picnic table with attached individual seats.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,379 issued in the name of Pelletier

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 2,746,525 issued in the name of Cooper

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,929 issued in the name of Haley discloses a portable modular cart and game table.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,687 issued in the name of Nye et al. describes a portable, storable table and bench system that may be collapsed and nested.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,623 issued in the name of Nye et al. discloses a foldable picnic table with telescoping pedestals.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,450 issued in the name of Roesner describes a modular concrete picnic table.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,703 issued in the name of Irvine, III discloses a modular trailer with fold-out accessories.

[0019] And, U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,307 issued in the name of Jones et al. describes a folding picnic table with removable seats.

[0020] Consequently, there is a need for a means by which the functionality of a picnic table can be provided in a small package for ease of storage, thus addressing the shortcomings of conventional picnic tables as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved modular picnic table system.

[0022] It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved modular picnic table system having separable, assembled components that form a table and benches.

[0023] Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a picnic table system is provided that is modular in design for ease of storage out of inclement weather when not in use. Upon initial observation, the invention looks remarkably like a conventional picnic table with integral attached benches capable of seating up to six adults. But after closer inspection, it can be seen the bench assembly sits atop two pedestal-type legs and the top is supported by the upper portion of the pedestal legs. Both the top and the benches are secured with the use of pegs to form a sturdy structure. When the invention is to be moved, stored for the season, or otherwise not needed, the pegs are simply removed and the resultant four pieces, namely the top, the bench assembly, and the two pedestal legs are stored in an upright, on-end fashion, thus conserving floor or storage space. The ability to store the invention inside during inclement weather or during off season allows for increased life of the invention, thus saving the user replacement or repair costs as well.

[0024] The use of a modular picnic table of the present design provides a firm, stable picnic table area that can be easily disassembled and assembled in a manner which is quick, easy and efficient.

[0025] Advantages of the collapsible design of the present invention, having separate individual pieces held together with pegs, allows for easily assembled and disassembled with no tools needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular picnic table according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

[0029] FIG. 3a is a top plan view of a dual cantilever bench element 30 for use with the modular picnic table of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 3b is a side elevational view of the dual cantilever bench element 30 of FIG. 3a;

[0031] FIG. 4a is a bottom plan view of a table top 40 for use with the modular picnic table of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 4b is a side elevational view of the table top 40 of FIG. 4a;

[0033] FIG. 5a is a side elevational view of a pedestal leg element 50 for use with the modular picnic table of the present invention; and

[0034] FIG. 5b is a side elevational view of the pedestal leg element 50 of FIG. 5a.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

[0036] 1. Detailed Description of the Figures

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1-2, a modular picnic table 10 is shown, according to the present invention, having a collapsible design of separate individual pieces held together with pegs, allows for easily assembled and disassembled with no tools needed. A dual cantilevered bench element 30 rests on and is supported by a pair of individually supported pedestal base elements 50. A table top 40 rests adopt the pedestal base elements 50 as well, and all four unit pieces are held in place by the use of frictionally impinged pin fasteners 20.

[0038] FIG. 3A and 3B shows the dual cantilevered bench element 30 in greater detail. As shown, a pair of lateral bench slats 32 are mounted parallel to each other and held together in an offset manner by a plurality of support stringer assemblies 34. Each support stringer assembly 34 is formed of a pair of individual support stringer members 34a separated by a pedestal receiving slot 34b. Each bench slat 32 forms a pin fastener receiving orifices 22, as shown, for accepting a pin fasteners 20. Further, the top surface of each support stringer member 34a forms pin fastener receiving orifices 22 for receiving and frictionally impinging the pin fasteners 20. In this manner, the lateral bench slats 32 can be assembled to the support stringer assemblies 34 in a quick and convenient manner, without the aid of additional hand tools (if necessary). Also, as shown in FIG. 3b, at the center point of each individual support stringer members 34a are additional pin fastener receiving orifices 22 formed for attachment to the pedestals 50 by pins 20, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0039] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b show the table top 40 in greater detail. As shown, the table top 40 has a generally planar upper surface 42. Attached to the lower surface of the table top 40 are a plurality of attachment stringers 44. A pair of attachment stringers 44 are mounted parallel to each other, and each attachment stringer 44 is formed of a pair of individual support stringer members 44a separated by a pedestal receiving slot 44b. It is anticipated that the overall size and dimension and location of these support stringer members 44a separated by a pedestal receiving slot 44b would be equal to, such as to align with the support stringer assemblies 34 of the bench element 30. Also, as shown in FIG. 4b, at the center point of each individual attachment stringer members 44a are additional pin fastener receiving orifices 22 formed for attachment to the pedestals 50 by pins 20, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0040] Finally, FIG. 5a and 5b show one pedestal base elements 50. It is anticipated that two such base elements 50 will be necessary for use with the present modular picnic table 10. Each pedestal base element 50 has a linearly elongated, vertical support column 52 with a top supporting surface 53 opposite a horizontal stabilizing element 54. The horizontal stabilizing element 54 is perpendicularly affixed to the support column 52, and is of sufficient lateral span to allow for sturdy support of the completed picnic table assembly 10. Additionally, a horizontally disposed bench supporting element 56 is affixed to the support column 52 to provide structural support for the dual cantilever bench element 30. Also, at both the top and near the center point of each individual support column 52 are additional pin fastener receiving orifices 22 formed for attachment of both the table top 40 and bench element 30 to the pedestals 50 by pins 20, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0041] 2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

[0042] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the bench assembly 30 is place over both support pedestals 50 such that the vertical support columns 52 are placed within the pedestal receiving slots 34b. With support stringers 34b resting against the bench supporting element 56 and all respective pin fastener receiving orifices 22 aligned respectively, pin fasteners 20 are frictionally impinged therein. With pedestal and seats assembled, the table top 40 is then placed on top of the vertical support columns 52, with the top supporting surface 53 abutting the lower surface of the table top such that the vertical support columns 52 are placed within the pedestal receiving slots 44b. With all respective pin fastener receiving orifices 22 aligned respectively, pin fasteners 20 are frictionally impinged therein.

[0043] Disassembly of the picnic table 10 can be accomplished with similar each by removing the pin fasteners 20 in a reverse manner.

[0044] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A modular picnic table comprising:

a dual cantilevered bench element;

a pair of individually supported pedestal base elements; and

a table top which rests atop said pedestal base elements; and wherein all four said unit pieces are held in place by the use of frictionally impinged pin fasteners.

2. The modular picnic table of claim 1, wherein said dual cantilevered bench element comprises a pair of lateral bench slats mounted parallel to each other and held together in an offset manner by a plurality of support stringer assemblies.

3. The modular picnic table of claim 1, wherein each support stringer assembly is formed of a pair of individual support stringer members separated by a pedestal receiving slot.

4. The modular picnic table of claim 1, wherein:

each bench slat further forms a pin fastener receiving orifices for accepting a pin fasteners; and

said top surface of each support stringer member further forms pin fastener receiving orifices for receiving and frictionally impinging pin fasteners; wherein said lateral bench slats are assembled to said support stringer assemblies without the aid of additional hand tools.

5. The modular picnic table of claim 4, wherein at a center point of each said support stringer members are formed additional pin fastener receiving orifices for attachment of said stringer members to said pedestals by pins.

6. The modular picnic table of claim 1, wherein said table top comprises:

a generally planar upper surface;

a lower surface opposite said upper surface;

a plurality of attachment stringers attached to said lower surface of said table top.

7. The modular picnic table of claim 6, wherein a pair of said attachment stringers are mounted parallel to each other, and each said attachment stringer is formed of a pair of individual support stringer members separated by a pedestal receiving slot.

8. The modular picnic table of claim 1, wherein each said pedestal base element comprises:

a linearly elongated, vertical support column;

a top supporting surface;

a horizontal stabilizing element opposite said support surface and perpendicularly affixed to said support column.