U.S. patent application number 11/644969 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-10 for table and bench set.
Invention is credited to Nisim Eliyahu, Efraim Haimoff.
Application Number | 20070101910 11/644969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39239022 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070101910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haimoff; Efraim ; et
al. |
May 10, 2007 |
Table and bench set
Abstract
A collapsible picnic set comprising a table member and at least
one bench member, said table member being constituted by a table
top having an undersurface with a transverse support member
pivotally articulated thereto, two legs associated with each
lateral edge of the transverse support member, and a pair of
longitudinal support members articulated to the undersurface of the
table. The bench member being of similar construction to the table
member, having shorter legs and an undersurface smaller than the
undersurface of the table top. The longitudinal support members of
both the table member and the bench member are displaceable between
erect and collapsed positions, and the transverse support member is
prevented from collapsing as long as at least one of the
longitudinal support members is erect. The least one bench member
and the table member are adapted to be attached to each other, when
each is in a collapsed position, undersurface mated to
undersurface, so as to form one portable picnic unit.
Inventors: |
Haimoff; Efraim; (Mevasereth
Zion, IL) ; Eliyahu; Nisim; (Holon, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gary M. Nath;NATH & ASSOCIATES PLLC
112 South West Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
39239022 |
Appl. No.: |
11/644969 |
Filed: |
December 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10729366 |
Dec 8, 2003 |
7174838 |
|
|
11644969 |
Dec 26, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/169 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 3/083 20130101;
A47C 11/00 20130101; A47B 3/0818 20130101; A47C 4/03 20130101; A47C
4/02 20130101; A47B 3/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/169 |
International
Class: |
A47B 3/083 20060101
A47B003/083 |
Claims
1. A collapsing table comprising a table top formed of a pair of
pivotable table top half-sections hinged to one another at their at
their adjacent edges along a center-line of the table and
displaceable between an open position where said half-sections are
coplanar and a folded position where said half-sections overlap one
another; the table characterized in that each section has at an
undersurface thereof a transverse support member pivotally
articulated thereto with a leg associated with each lateral edge of
the transverse support member, and a pair of longitudinal support
members pivotally articulated to the undersurface; said support
members are displaceable between erect and collapsed positions
whereby the transverse support member is prohibited from collapsing
as long as at least one of the longitudinal support member is
erect.
2. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein a central
support member is pivotally articulated, along the center-line, at
undersurfaces of the top half-sections.
3. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein the transverse
support member extends adjacent an end of the half-section.
4. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein the transverse
support member extends parallel to the center-line of the
table.
5. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein each lateral
end of the transverse support member receives a leg of the
table.
6. A collapsing table according to claim 2, wherein the central
support member receives at least one leg of the table.
7. A collapsing table according to claim 6, wherein each lateral
end of the central support member receives a leg of the table.
8. A collapsing table according to claim 2, wherein adjoining ends
of the longitudinal support members and lateral edges of the
central support member are engageable at the erect position
thereof.
9. A collapsing table according to claim 2, wherein an edge of each
longitudinal support member is engageable with a corresponding
lateral edge of the central support member at the erect position
thereof.
10. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein an edge of
each longitudinal support member is engageable with a corresponding
lateral edge of the transverse support member at the erect position
thereof.
11. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein each section
is formed at its adjacent edge with a transverse abutment surface,
whereby at an open state of the table said abutment surfaces bear
against one another.
12. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal support members extend essentially the length of the
half-section.
13. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein the
longitudinal support members is composed of several members linked
together.
14. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein the center
support member is hingedly coupled to a transverse hinge extending
at the center-line of the table.
15. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein the support
members are snappingly engaged with one another at their erect
position.
16. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein the support
members are pivotally articulated to the undersurfaces by snap-type
hinges.
17. A collapsing table according to claim 16, wherein the support
members are articulated to the half-sections by first hinge
segments integrally formed at the undersurfaces and corresponding
second hinge segments integrally formed at the support members.
18. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein both top
half-sections are pivotable about a hinge common also for the
central support member.
19. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein both top
half-sections are pivotable about a hinge common also for the
central support member.
20. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein the table top
has a circular shape.
21. A collapsing table According to claim 1, wherein the
half-sections are integrally formed with a peripheral downwardly
extending skirt portion.
22. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein at least some
of the support members are retainable at the erected position by a
snap-type support arrangement.
23. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein at the erect
position the support members have substantial portions extending
flush with the undersurface of the respective top
half-sections.
24. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein the
half-sections and the support members are made of plastic
material.
25. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein a carrying
handle is fitted to either one or both of the top
half-sections.
26. A collapsing table according to claim 25, wherein the handle is
retractable from between the half-sections at the folded position
thereof.
27. A collapsing table according to claim 25 wherein the handle is
a recess integrally formed at one or both of the top
half-sections.
28. A collapsing table according to claim 2, wherein the
longitudinal support member extends between the central support
member and the transverse support member.
29. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein a lock
arrangement is provided for securing the half-sections at the
folded position.
30. A collapsing table according to claim 1, wherein at the erect
position the support members are engaged with one another to form a
closed support frame.
31. A collapsible picnic set comprising a table member and at least
one bench member, said table member being constituted by a table
top having an undersurface with a transverse support member
pivotally articulated thereto, two legs associated with each
lateral edge of said transverse support member, and a pair of
longitudinal support members articulated to the undersurface of
said table member; said bench member being of similar construction
to said table member, having shorter legs and an undersurface
smaller than the undersurface of said table top; wherein said
longitudinal support members of both said table member and said
bench member are displaceable between erect and collapsed
positions, and whereby said transverse support member is prevented
from collapsing as long as at least one of said longitudinal
support members is erect; and wherein said at least one bench
member and said table member are adapted to be detachably attached
to each other, when each is in a collapsed position, undersurface
mated to undersurface, so as to form one portable picnic unit.
32. A collapsible picnic set according to claim 31, wherein in the
collapsed position, the undersurface of said at least one bench
member is adapted to be mated to the undersurface of said table
member.
33. A collapsible picnic set according to claim 31, wherein the
undersurface of said table member and said bench member are formed
with a raised rim defining an inner volume.
34. A collapsible picnic set according to claim 33, wherein in the
collapsed position, said transverse support member and said
longitudinal support member do not protrude from said volume.
35. A collapsible picnic set according to claim 31, wherein at
least one of the the table member and the bench member is equipped
with a handle adapted to support said picnic unit.
36. A collapsible picnic set according to claim 31, wherein at the
collapsed position the legs of the at least one bench member fit
consecutively within the inner volume.
37. A collapsible picnic set according to claim 31, wherein the
longitudinal support members are stored flat against the
undersurface of the table top within an inner volume thereof, such
that the legs of one support member are nested within the legs of
the other support member.
38. A collapsible picnic set according to claim 31, wherein each
bench member has a width which is about twice as small as the width
of the table member, so that two bench members substantially fully
cover the undersurface of the table.
39. A collapsible picnic set comprising a table member and at least
one bench member, said table member being constituted by a table
top having an undersurface with a transverse support member
pivotally articulated thereto, two legs associated with each
lateral edge of said transverse support member, and a pair of
longitudinal support members articulated to the undersurface of
said table member; said bench member being of similar construction
to said table member, having shorter legs and an undersurface
smaller than the undersurface of said table top; wherein said
longitudinal support members of both said table member and said
bench member are displaceable between erect and collapsed
positions, and whereby said transverse support member is prevented
from collapsing as long as at least one of said longitudinal
support members is erect; and wherein said at least one bench
member and said table member are adapted to be detachably attached
to each other, when each is in a collapsed position, undersurface
mated to undersurface, so as to form one portable picnic unit and
wherein a footprint of the table member coincides that of the at
least one bench member at the attached position.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation in Part, and claims the
benefit of, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/729,366, filed on Dec. 08,
2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a collapsible/foldable
table and bench set having a table top and at least one associated
bench which are both collapsible for convenience of carrying and
storage.
[0003] In connection with the present invention the terms
collapsible and foldable are used interchangeably.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
[0004] A dining table intended for use only on special occasions,
such as for banquets or picnics, must be stored when not in use.
Since a dining table occupies a relatively large space, the need to
store the table presents a problem, particularly when there are
many tables to be stored and the storage facilities are limited. A
preferred form of banquet table is therefore one that is
collapsible to form a compact structure that occupies relatively
little storage space (and optionally could be carried in a car) and
that can be easily carried from one place to another, and
transferred, e.g. by car.
[0005] One type of banquet tables comprises a non-collapsible,
rigid and uniform table top, with only the legs being displaceable
between an operative state for supporting the table top, and a
storage state where the legs are folded against the table top,
typically against its bottom surface. Such a table is disclosed,
for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,674.
[0006] A typical collapsible table includes a pair of interhinged
half-sections to each of which is hingedly attached a leg assembly.
To collapse this table its leg assemblies are first folded in
against the half-sections of the tabletop, and the half-sections
are then folded together to reduce the table to a compact structure
requiring little storage space. To erect the table at its site of
use, the half-sections are unfolded to form the tabletop and the
leg assemblies are folded out to support this tabletop. A
collapsible table in this form is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,357,872 to Wilmore.
[0007] However, blow molding is a relatively difficult and costly
procedure, and the need to include rigidified reinforcing sheets
adds to the cost of producing the half-sections of the table.
Consequently the expenses incurred in manufacturing such a
collapsible table are substantial and may militate against their
sale and use.
[0008] A collapsible picnic table with associated benches is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,804 disclosing a portable and
foldable table to be used in open fields as an improvement of
conventional portable tables by providing new devices to foldable
auxiliary rods, shaft retainers, hinge and lock. With such
provisions, the present invention aims at furnishing a strong,
stable, simple and graceful portable table.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a light
weight and inexpensive collapsible table having a reinforced
structure rendering the table capable of supporting heavy loads
which seek to deform the table and whereby bending forces which
seek to bend the table along either the longitudinal or transverse
axis are resisted.
[0010] By a further aspect of the present invention there is
provided a collapsible table with at least one associated bench,
detachably attachable thereto, constituting together a table and
bench set.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a collapsing table comprising a table top formed of a
pair of pivotable table top half-sections hinged to one another at
their at their adjacent edges along a center-line of the table and
displaceable between an open position where said half-sections are
coplanar and a folded position where said half-sections overlap one
another; the table characterized in that each section has at an
undersurface thereof a transverse support member pivotally
articulated thereto with a leg associated with each lateral edge of
the transverse support member, and a pair of longitudinal support
members pivotally articulated to the undersurface; said support
members are displaceable between erect and collapsed positions
whereby the transverse support member is prohibited from collapsing
as long as at least one of the longitudinal support member is
erect. According to a particular embodiment, each lateral end of
the transverse support member receives a leg of the table.
[0012] To improve stability and load-bearing resistance, there may
further be provided a central support member pivotally articulated,
along the center-line, at undersurfaces of the top half-sections.
Said central support member may comprise one or more table
legs.
[0013] In order to obtain a firm table structure at its open
position, an edge of each longitudinal support member is engageable
with a corresponding lateral edge of the transverse support member
at the erect position thereof and optionally, adjoining ends of the
longitudinal support members and lateral edges of the central
support member are engageable at the erect position thereof.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal
support member extends between the central support member and the
transverse support member.
[0014] Typically, each section is formed at its adjacent edge with
a transverse abutment surface, whereby at an open state of the
table said abutment surfaces bear against one another.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a collapsible table set comprising: [0016] a table
member having at least two transverse support members articulated
thereto at an underside thereof, each transverse support member
constituting a leg assembly of the table portion and being
collapsible between an open position of the table portion and a
closed position of the table portion; and [0017] at least one bench
member having at least two transverse support members articulated
thereto at an underside thereof, each transverse support member
constituting a leg assembly of the bench portion and being
collapsible between an open position of the bench portion and a
closed position of the bench portion; [0018] the table member and
the at least one bench member being detachably attachable to each
other, at facing undersides thereof, respectively.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention there is
provided a collapsible picnic set comprising a table member and at
least one bench member, said table member being constituted by a
table top having an undersurface with at least two transverse
support members pivotally articulated thereto, two legs associated
with each transverse support member, and a pair of longitudinal
support members articulated to the undersurface of said table
member; said bench member being of similar construction to said
table member, having shorter legs and an undersurface smaller than
the undersurface of said table member; wherein said longitudinal
support members of both said table member and said bench member are
displaceable between erect and collapsed positions whereby said two
transverse support members are prevented from collapsing as long as
at least one of said longitudinal support members is deployed; said
at least one bench member and said table member are adapted to be
detachably attached to each other, when each is in a collapsed
position, so as to form one portable picnic unit.
[0020] According to various embodiments and modifications of the
present invention, the folding table my have one or more of several
features, for example: [0021] The central support member is
pivotally articulated, along the center-line, at undersurfaces of
the top half-sections. Optionally, both top half-sections are
pivotable about a hinge common also for the central support member.
[0022] At the erect position, the support members have substantial
portions extending flush with the undersurface of the respective
table member and the bench member, respectively. [0023] The support
members snappingly displace between their collapsed and erect
positions. [0024] All or part of the support members are snappingly
engaged with one another at their erect position. [0025] The
support members are pivotally articulated to the respective
undersurfaces by snap-type hinges. For example, the support members
are articulated to the undersurfaces by first hinge segments
integrally formed at the undersurfaces and corresponding second
hinge segments integrally formed at the support members. [0026] The
table member and the at least one bench member are integrally
formed with a peripheral downwardly extending skirt portion. [0027]
At least some of the support members are retainable at the erected
position by a snap-type support arrangement. [0028] A carrying
handle or a carrying portion is fitted to either one or both of the
table member or bench member. According to one particular
embodiment, the handle is retractable from between a gap formed
between the table member and one of the at least one bench member,
at the folded position thereof.
[0029] Optionally, a locking arrangement is provided for securing
the table at its closed/folded position namely, retaining the table
member and the at least one bench member adjoined together for
conveniently carriage and storage thereof, e.g. by a locking latch,
etc.
[0030] According to a particular embodiment, each lateral end of
the transverse support member receives a leg of the table.
[0031] Each bench member may have a width which is about twice as
small as the width of the table member, so that two bench members
may substantially fully cover the undersurface of the table member
(i.e. such that the footprint of the table member is substantially
similar to the foot print of two adjoining bench members).
[0032] The undersurface of said at least one bench member may be
formed with connection pins, and the undersurface of said table may
be formed with connection holes adapted to receive said pins, to
facilitate connection between said table and said at least one
bench member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may
be carried out in practice, an embodiment will now be described, by
way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 is top perspective view of a table according to the
present invention, at its open position;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table, at its
closed/collapsed position;
[0036] FIG. 3A is a bottom perspective view of the table, at its
open position;
[0037] FIG. 3B is a section along line II-II in FIG. 3A;
[0038] FIG. 3C is an enlargement of the portion marked III in FIG.
3A;
[0039] FIGS. 4A to 4E illustrate consecutive steps of collapsing a
table according to the present invention, wherein:
[0040] FIG. 4A is a bottom perspective view of the table, at a
first step of collapsing the table, with a longitudinal support
member thereof at an intermediate position;
[0041] FIG. 4B is an enlargement of the portion marked IV in FIG.
4A;
[0042] FIG. 4C illustrates the table with all its longitudinal
support members at the folded position;
[0043] FIG. 4D illustrates the table with its transverse support
members and their associated legs collapsed;
[0044] FIG. 4E illustrates the table at the final collapsing step,
with its top surface partially folded;
[0045] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a collapsible picnic set
according to another aspect of the present invention, at a useful
position;
[0046] FIG. 6A is an exploded bottom isometric view of a table
element constituting one part of the picnic set of FIG. 5;
[0047] FIG. 6B is a bottom isometric view of the table of FIG. 6A,
in a collapsed/folded position;
[0048] FIG. 7A is an exploded bottom isometric view of a bench
member constituting another part of the picnic set of FIG. 5;
[0049] FIG. 7B is a bottom isometric view of the bench of FIG. 7A,
at a collapsed/folded position;
[0050] FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the picnic set of
FIG. 5, wherein the table member and two bench members are in
respective collapsed positions; and
[0051] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the picnic set of FIG. 1 in a
completely collapsed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0052] Reference is first made to FIG. 1 illustrating a collapsible
table in accordance with the present invention generally designated
10 comprising two pivotable table top half sections 14 and 15
hingedly connected to one another and foldable about a pivot axle
18 (see in FIGS. 3A and 4A), extending transversally at a center
line of the table 20. At the open position of FIG. 1 the half
sections are coplanar.
[0053] The table is supported by six legs arranged in pairs and
designated 22A and 22B; 24A and 24B; 26A and 26B, respectively, as
will become apparent hereinafter.
[0054] The table is foldable/collapsible between an open position
as illustrated in FIG. 1 where the table top is supported by the
legs, and a closed/folded/collapsed position as illustrated in FIG.
2. Also seen in FIG. 2 is a latch 30 to retain the half sections 14
and 15 at the closed, overlapping position.
[0055] In FIG. 3A the table 10 is illustrated from its bottom side
and as can be seen at each of the half sections 14 and 16, in the
present case made of plastic material, is formed with a peripheral
skirt portion 34, increasing the rigidity and load bearing ability
of the table, and further, providing space for accommodating the
legs and the support members, at the closed position of the table,
as will become apparent hereinafter.
[0056] It is further noticed in FIG. 3A that the end legs 22A and B
and 26A and B are attached to a transversed support member 40
pivotably articulated to an under surface 42 of the half sections
14 and 15 by means of hinge portions 44.
[0057] The arrangement is such that the under surface 42 of the
half section comprises several hinge segments 50 (see FIG. 3B)
integrally formed therewith and adapted for snap-type engagement
with a receptacle hinge cavity 54 integrally formed with the
transverse support member 40. The hinge components are sized and
shaped such that the support members are snappingly displaceable in
a toggle type manner between an erect position (FIGS. 3A and 3B)
and a collapsed position (FIG. 4D) and further such that the at the
erect position a surface 58 of the support member 40 flushingly
bears against a corresponding surface 60 at an under surface of the
half section.
[0058] Further noticed in FIG. 3A there are provided four
longitudinal support members 64, each extending along a
corresponding edge of the respective half section. The longitudinal
support members 64 are pivotably articulated to the under surfaces
42 of the half sections 14 and 15, respectively, in the same manner
as disclosed hereinabove in connection with the transverse support
members 40, with particular reference to FIG. 3B.
[0059] A central support member 68 is mounted on the common pivot
axle 18 pivotably attaching the half sections 14 and 16 whereby at
the open position of the table, when the two half sections are
coplanar, said central support member bears against corresponding
portions at the undersurface 42 of the half sections, to thereby
further increase the load bearing and stability of the table. Legs
24A and 24B extend from the central support member 68. In
accordance with other particular embodiments (not illustrated) the
central support member may be omitted entirely or may be designed
to have one central leg or no legs at all.
[0060] As can best be seen in FIG. 3A, at the open position of this
table, all the support members stand erect and perpendicular to the
respective undersurface where the transverse support members 40 and
the central support member 68 extend parallel to the central axis
18 and the longitudinal support members 64 extend at right angles
thereto.
[0061] It is further noticed in FIG. 3A that the open position of
the table, whilst all support members are erect, a closed box-like
support structure is formed by said support members whereby each
support member engages at its respective ends corresponding ends of
a mating support member by means of a snap-type engagement as will
be seen in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3C and 4B. The
construction of the box/frame like construction gives rise to a
table of improved rigidity and load bearing ability both in
vertical directions and in transverse directions.
[0062] Retaining the support members at their erect position is
obtained, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, both by the toggle-type hinge arrangement of the support
members to the under surfaces of the half sections and by the
snap-type engagement between adjoining ends of respective support
members. An example of such engagement arrangements is seen in FIG.
4B, which is an enlargement of the portion marked IV in FIG. 4A,
where the longitudinal support member 64 comprises four lateral
projections 70A, 70B, 70C and 70D fitted for snap-engagement within
corresponding receptacles designated 72A, 72B, 72C and 72D,
respectively, formed at a leg support portion 76 receiving leg 76B
of the transverse support member 40.
[0063] Thus, displacement of a longitudinal support member from its
erect position to its collapsed position requires some force
thereby to prevent unintentional displacement thereof. FIG. 3C is
an enlargement of the portion marked III in FIG. 3A whereby an end
portion of the lateral support member 64 is formed with three
projections 82A, 82B and 82C fitted for snap-engagement within
corresponding receptacles (not seen in this position) formed in leg
receptacle 86 supporting leg 24B of the central support member
68.
[0064] This arrangement too requires application of some reasonable
force to thereby prevent unintentional collapsing of the
longitudinal support members.
[0065] With further reference made to FIGS. 4A to 4E, it will now
explain how the table is collapsed/folded from its open position as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3A to its closed/folded position as in
FIG. 2.
[0066] At a first step (FIG. 4A) the four longitudinal support
members 64 are collapsed by pivotally displacing them inwardly in
the direction of arrow 90. FIG. 4C illustrates the table after the
four longitudinal support members 64 have been collapsed and lie
flush against the under surface 42 of the half sections 14 and 15,
respectively (FIG. 4C).
[0067] Only at this position, after the longitudinal support
members of each half section have been collapsed, the transverse
support member 40 may be collapsed by turning them inwards as
illustrated by arrowed lines 94 in FIG. 4C such that the transverse
support members 40 extend over the already folded longitudinal
support members 64. It is noticed that at the position of FIG. 4D
the collapsed support members and their respectively legs do not
occupy the entire space formed by the peripheral skirt 34, thereby
permits sufficient space to accommodate the central support member
68 and the central legs 24A and 24B.
[0068] At a final step the half sections 14 and 15 are pivotally
displaced towards one another (arrow 98 in FIG. 4E) until obtaining
the fully closed position as in FIG. 2.
[0069] Retaining the table in its closed position, may be obtained
by closing latch 30 (FIG. 2) or by snap type arrangement as
illustrated for example in FIG. 4E wherein the skirt portion 34 of
the half section 14 comprises two projections 102 fitted for snap
engagement within corresponding two receptacles 104 fitted on the
skirt 34 of half section 16.
[0070] Finally, carrying the table from one place to another may be
facilitated by a handle 110 formed at half sections 14 by means of
a depression at the skirt portion 34 enabling one to insert his
hand between the half section at the closed position. In accordance
with a variation thereof, such an opening may be formed also at the
half section 15 and optionally also at the opposed sides thereof.
As an alternative, there may be provided a handle 114 (FIG. 4E)
displaceable between an extracted position as shown, and a
retracted position (not shown) merely by folding or sliding it
about a suitable hinge or rack.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the collapsible picnic set according to
a further embodiment of the present invention, generally designated
210, is shown comprising a table member 230 and two bench members
250. The picnic set 210 is shown in its open, erect position, in
which the table member 230 and each of the bench members 250 are
supported by their respective legs.
[0072] As seen in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B, the table member 230
comprises a table top 231 having a top surface 234 and a bottom
surface 242 with a raised (downwardly extending) rim 243, defining
an inner volume 240 therewithin. The table member further comprises
two transverse support members, 236A and 236B, each comprising an
upper member 241 and two legs 232 extending perpendicularly
therefrom. Two longitudinal support members 238 are pivotally
articulated to the bottom surface 242 by clips 249 formed thereof.
They longitudinal support members 238 extend between the transverse
support members 236A, 236B in order to prevent the transverse
support members 236A, 236B from collapsing inwards when the table
member 230 is in its open/erect position.
[0073] Each transverse support member 236A, 236B has a pivot pin
244 protruding perpendicularly thereto and adapted to fit into a
recess 246 formed in the raised rim 243. Each transverse support
member 236A, 236B is equipped with two retainer clips 237A, 237B,
adapted to fix the transverse support member 232 to the raised rim
243.
[0074] The table member 230 further comprises a handle 272
comprising a grip 270 articulated to a handle pad 274 via a hinge
276. The handle pad 274 is affixed to the raised rim 243, for
example via a plurality of openings 245 formed in the raised
rim.
[0075] In the open position of the table member 230, the transverse
support members 236A and 236B are positioned perpendicularly to the
table top 231, such that a the upper member 241 of each one is
within the inner volume 240, and the pivot pins 244 are retained
within the recesses 246. Hooks 247 formed on the transverse support
members 232 are adapted to fit within connector recesses 248 formed
within the longitudinal support members 238, thereby retaining the
relative position of the transverse support members and the
transverse support members.
[0076] In a closed position, as shown in FIG. 6B, the longitudinal
support members 238 are stored flat against the undersurface 242 of
the table top 231 within the inner volume 240, such that the legs
232A of one are nested within the legs 232B of the other. The
longitudinal support members 238 are pivoted such that they lie
against the undersurface 242 of the table top 231. The transverse
support members 232 are placed on top of the longitudinal support
members 238 such that neither the longitudinal support members 238
nor the transverse support members 232 protrude from the inner
volume 240.
[0077] With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, each bench member 250
similarly comprises a bench top 251 having a top surface 252 and an
undersurface 262, two transverse support members 256A and 256B
having two legs 252 each, and two longitudinal support members 258.
The construction of the bench member is similar to that of the
table member 230 described above, with the exception that the legs
232 are shorter, and in the collapsed position, the legs 232 are
not nested within one another, but rather fit consecutively within
the inner volume 260 of the bench 250.
[0078] Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, in the collapsed position, the
two bench members 250 are attached to the table member 230 such,
that the raised rim 243 of the table member 230 is mated with the
raised rim 263 of both bench members 250. For the purpose of
attachment, the raised rim 243 of the table member 230 is formed
with connection apertures 235 and the raised rim 263 of each bench
member 250 is formed with connection pins 255 adapted to enter the
aforementioned apertures 235. Each bench member 250 further
comprises latches 280, adapted to lock the bench members 250 to the
table member 230 against recesses 239, 259. In this position, the
entire assembly which includes the table member 230 and two bench
members 250, may be carried as one member using the handle 270. It
is noted that one or more carrying handles or depressions may be
fitted on either or both of the table member and bench members.
[0079] It should be noted that the collapsible picnic assembly may
comprise more than two bench members, and may instead comprise, for
example, four stools. Furthermore, the legs of the table member may
be essentially the same length as those of the bench members,
serving as a coffee table or the like.
[0080] The shape of the legs is not restricted to a round or
tubular shape but may be square, hexagonal etc.
[0081] While there has been shown an embodiment with several
modifications of the invention, it will be appreciated by a person
of the art that many changes may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and the scope of the invention, mutatis
mutandis.
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