U.S. patent application number 11/410391 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for collapsible outdoor table and support.
Invention is credited to Scott Becker.
Application Number | 20070246091 11/410391 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38618313 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070246091 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Becker; Scott |
October 25, 2007 |
Collapsible outdoor table and support
Abstract
A portable collapsible table assembly having a support surface,
a centrally located pole coupled to the support surface and a
ground support structure coupled to the pole. The ground support
structure includes a pair of downwardly facing spear members
aligned along the central axis of the pole. The spear members
intersect one another generally along the central axis of the pole,
and the spear members are substantially perpendicular to one
another.
Inventors: |
Becker; Scott; (Milwaukee,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYAN KROMHOLZ & MANION, S.C.
POST OFFICE BOX 26618
MILWAUKEE
WI
53226
US
|
Family ID: |
38618313 |
Appl. No.: |
11/410391 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/16 ;
108/50.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45B 2200/1063 20130101;
A47B 37/04 20130101; A45B 3/00 20130101; A45B 2023/0006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/016 ;
108/050.12 |
International
Class: |
A45B 3/00 20060101
A45B003/00; A47B 37/00 20060101 A47B037/00 |
Claims
1. A portable, collapsible table assembly comprising: an umbrella;
a centrally located pole having a first end and a second end, said
first end coupled to said umbrella; a support surface having a bore
for receiving said pole; and a ground support structure coupled to
said second end of said pole, said ground support structure
comprising: at least a pair of downwardly facing spear members,
each of said spear members having a central axis, said spear
members intersecting one another generally along said central axis,
said spear members being substantially perpendicular to one
another.
2. The table assembly according to claim 1 wherein said spear
members are triangular.
3. The table assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pole
further comprises: a top section coupled to said umbrella; a middle
section being receivable by said support surface; and a bottom
section coupled to said ground support structure.
4. The table assembly according to claim 1 wherein said support
structure further comprises a retaining structure located around
the perimeter of said support structure.
5. The table assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a
storage area for transporting the table assembly in a collapsed
arrangement, said storage area integrated to said support
surface.
6. A portable collapsible table assembly comprising: a support
surface; a centrally located pole having a first end and a second
end, said first end coupled to said support surface; and a ground
support structure coupled to said second end of said pole, said
ground support structure comprising: at least a pair of downwardly
facing spear members, each of said spear members having a central
axis, said spear members intersecting one another generally along
said central axis, said spear members being substantially
perpendicular to one another.
7. The table assembly according to claim 6 wherein said spear
members are triangular.
8. The table assembly according to claim 6 wherein said support
structure further comprises a retaining structure around the
perimeter of said support structure.
9. The table assembly according to claim 6 further comprising a
storage area for transporting the table assembly in a collapsed
arrangement, said storage area integrated to said support
surface.
10. The table assembly according to claim 9 wherein said support
structure further comprises a handle.
11. The table assembly according to claim 6 further comprising a
coupler for coupling said pole to said support surface.
12. The table assembly according to claim 11 wherein said coupler
and said table are of unitary construction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to portable furniture and,
specifically, portable tables. Patio and outdoor furniture
generally are designed to be left in a designated place for an
extended period, such as during a summer season. Usually, these
tables are heavy and sturdy so that they withstand being left
outdoors without tipping or falling over. However, there are many
instances, such as at a public park or other similar area, where it
is not possible to leave the table or furniture for an extended
period of time.
[0002] Likewise, shade structures that are portable for use at the
beach or other similar areas are not ideal for use as a table.
These structures, if they do include a table-like surface, tend to
not be well balanced and can be easily shifted or moved, thereby
minimizing the use of the device as a table.
[0003] Portable outdoor tables and umbrellas have been contemplated
in the prior art. While adequate for simple shade protection, such
as at a beach, they have potential drawbacks relating to proper
support and balance. Furthermore, these umbrellas and tables may be
cumbersome to transport. Some tables use augers as support for the
tables. For instance, Williams et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,977),
describes a collapsible table. The table must be screwed into the
ground with an auger, which may be difficult in dense ground,
especially when it is needed to screw the auger sufficiently into
the ground to balance the table. To overcome this shortcoming,
Williams utilizes a stabilizing bar to help with the balance of the
table. However, the stabilizing bar is arranged to rest on the
ground when the auger is completely screwed into the ground, which
still can lead to an unbalanced table if the auger is not
sufficiently secured downwardly into the ground.
[0004] Credle, Sr. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,166) shows a portable
table. The center pole of the table has a beveled end that is
inserted into the ground. While the table also has a handle located
in the support section of the assembly to force the pole adequately
into the ground, the table still has the same problems with balance
as discussed above. The table may still be inserted unevenly into
the ground and adjusting the table after being inserted into the
table can loosen the area around the support, thereby lessening the
balance of the table.
[0005] Thus, it would be advantageous to have a portable table that
is easily inserted into the ground with the table being
sufficiently balanced without the need of extra support structures
or devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a portable, collapsible table
assembly to be supported upon an outdoor location. The assembly has
a centrally located pole, a support surface or a table surface that
has a bore for receiving the pole, and a ground support structure
coupled to the pole, that will be driven into the ground. The
ground support structure comprises a pair of downwardly facing
spear members, each having a central axis and intersecting one
another generally along the central axis. The spears are arranged
to provide an easily insertable support structure that will
sufficiently balance the table.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible table assembly
in accordance with the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the table assembly shown in
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support surface used with
the table assembly of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the support surface shown in
FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support surface of
FIG. 3 taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the support surface of FIG.
3.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a ground support
structure in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is top plan sectional view of the ground support
structure of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a locking member used in
accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the locking member of
FIG. 9 taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the
physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the
invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While
the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be
changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by
the claims.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable table assembly
10 according to the present invention. The table assembly 10 is
designed-so that it will sufficiently be supported and balanced
upon the ground or a substrate 5. The table assembly 10 is
self-supporting and does not need extra ropes, poles, or bars to
keep the assembly 10 upright.
[0019] Still referring to FIG. 1, the assembly 10 generally
comprises an umbrella 12, a pole 14 having a first end 14a
connected to the umbrella 12 and a second end 14b, a support
surface 16, and a ground support structure 18 (shown in
phantom)that is connected to the second end 14b of the pole 14. The
pole 14 is preferably centrally located with respect to the
umbrella 12, the support surface 16, and the ground support
structure 18 to further insure the assembly 10 is evenly
balanced.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the assembly 10. The pole
14 is shown as three separate sections, a top section 20, a middle
section 22, and a bottom section 24, but the pole 14 may be
designed with more or fewer sections, as preferred. The sections
are preferably designed so that they will easily mate with one
another to insure a tight fit. Additionally, the mating sections
may be threaded to further allow the section to be secured to one
another. The top section 20 is shown coupled to the umbrella 12,
which allows an area or structure to grab the umbrella 12 when
assembling or disassembling the table assembly 10. The middle
section 22 intersects the support surface 16 at a bore 26,
preferably centrally located on the support surface 16. The middle
section 22 may be further secured to the bottom section 24 and the
support surface 16 by a coupler 28.
[0021] FIGS. 3-6 depict the support surface 16. As shown, the
support surface 16 has a round or circular shape and generally
comprises a table 17, but any shape of the support surface 16 will
fall within the scope of the invention. Along the perimeter 30 of
the of the support surface 16 is a retaining structure 32, which
forms a lip so that objects, such as playing cards, pens, or
pencils, will not fall off the table 17 if the table assembly 10 is
inadvertently bumped or shifted. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional
view of the support surfaced 16, which shows the retaining
structure 32 at an elevated height compared to the table 17. Also,
the bore 26 is shown as passing completely through the support
surface 16 and the table 17 to allow the pole 14 to pass through
and be coupled to the support surface 16. It is to be understood
that if the table assembly 10 was designed without an umbrella, it
would be possible that the bore 26 would not necessarily pass
completely through the support surface 16 or the table 17. Either
arrangement of the bore 26 will fall within the scope of the
present invention. The support surface 16 also has a built in
handle 34 that allows the assembly 10 to be easily transported.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the support surface 16. The
support surface 16 may have a built in storage area 36 or storage
areas 36. The storage area 36 allows the umbrella 12, the sections
22, 24 of the pole 14, and other possible parts of the table
assembly 10 to be transported easily when the assembly 10 is
disassembled. The storage areas 36 may consist of any structures,
such as straps, clips, pockets, or other similar devices, that will
allow the specific sections of the table assembly 10 to be secured
to the support surface 16 for easy transportation. Alternatively, a
bag or carrying case may be used to transport the table assembly
10.
[0023] FIGS. 7 and 8 provide close-up views of the ground support
structure 18. The structure 18 comprises a pair of spear members
38, 40. The spear members 38, 40 intersect each other along an axis
A, which is aligned along the pole 14. The spears 38, 40 are
arranged perpendicular to one another, and also are preferably
symmetrically divided along the axis A. This provides the necessary
stability for the assembly 10 to properly stand upright when the
ground support structure 18 is inserted in the substrate 5 (see
FIG. 1). This is an advantage over prior assemblies by providing a
much sturdier support base that does not need extra attachments,
cross-bars, or support devices for properly orientating the
assembly 10. The spear members 38, 40 also are preferably of the
same height, so that it will be easy to determine if support
structure is being evenly inserted into the ground or substrate
5.
[0024] The ground support structure 18 provides a wide base that is
easier to insert into the ground or substrate 5 when compared to
prior art devices, without requiring extra elements to balance or
support the assembly 10. The spear members 38, 40 may be formed as
a unitary device or each of the spear members 38, 40 may be
individually manufactured and then fit together by the user.
Similarly, the ground support structure 18 may be a separate piece
from the pole 14 or designed integrally with the pole. The ground
support structure 18 may comprise more spear members if desired,
with the extra spear members also intersecting along the central
axis A.
[0025] Because the spear members 38, 40 are relatively narrow and
cover a proportionally large area when compared to prior are
support devices, they provide an improved support, yet are easier
to insert into the ground. Also, as previously mentioned, the spear
members 38, 40 are preferably designed to be of the same length or
height. This further insures that the table assembly 10 will be
level when inserted into the ground or substrate 5, since it will
be easy to determine when both spear members 38, 40 are flush with
the ground or substrate 5.
[0026] FIG. 9 and 10 provide close-up views of the coupler 28. As
previously discussed with respect to FIG. 2, the middle section 22
may be secured to the bottom section 24 and the support surface 16
by the coupler 28. The coupler 28 has a passageway 42 that is sized
to allow the middle section 22 and the bottom section 24 to be
inserted into the passageway 42. A threaded tensioner 44 intersects
the side of the coupler 28 to secure and hold the mated sections
22, 24 of the pole 14 in place. Alternatively, the pole 14 could
have a plurality of holes located along the length of the pole 14
that would allow a pin or other device passing through the coupler
to retain the support surface 16 to the pole 14. The coupler 28
allows the height of the support surface 16 to be adjusted as
desired. The coupler 28 could be designed as a separate piece from
the support surface 16 or could be integrally formed with the
support surface 16. Provided a coupler allows the pole 14 and the
support surface 16 to be secured together, the device will fall
within the scope of the present invention.
[0027] The table assembly 10 of the present invention provides an
outdoor table that is easy to transport and easy to erect. The
design of the ground support structure 18 allows a quick and
efficient manner for erecting the table assembly 10. While previous
table assemblies were cumbersome to erect since they needed to be
forcefully screwed into the ground or needed extra elements or
devices to be properly inserted into the ground, the present
invention can be easily inserted. The design of the support
structure 18 is easily passed into the ground, while still
providing a large support base for the table assembly 10, which is
not present in tales that are screwed into the ground. Not only is
the assembly 10 easier to erect than other assemblies, it also is
more stable than prior assemblies. Thus, there is less chance that
drinks or other items placed upon the support surface 16 will spill
or tip over when compared to prior art assemblies.
[0028] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred
embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without
departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
* * * * *