Table with folding seats

Abstract

A picnic table may include a center table section and one or more seating members that are attached to the table section by a frame. The seat members may include a seat portion and a back portion. Advantageously, the back portion may be moved between a generally upright position in which the back portion may provide a backrest to a person sitting in the seating member and a collapsed position in which the back portion is disposed proximate to the seat portion. When in the backrest is in the collapsed position, the back portion may create a booster seat for child.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 509,843, filed Oct. 8, 2003, entitled TABLE WITH FOLDING BENCH SEATS, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to furniture and, in particular, to tables. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Picnic tables have been used for many years and conventional picnic tables typically include a center table section with benches disposed on both sides of the center table section. The center table section typically has a rectangular configuration and the benches are normally placed along the elongated sides of the center table section. Conventional picnic tables are often sized and configured to allow four, six or eight persons to sit at the table at one time. Conventional picnic tables are also often used in outdoor locations such as backy...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] One aspect is a picnic table that may include a frame that supports both the center table section of the picnic table and the accompanying benches. Advantageously, the frame may only contact the ground in several desired locations. Significantly, this may provide increased leg room and other space under the center portion of the picnic table and / or the benches. Additionally, the frame may be connected to the center section of the picnic table and benches without the use of braces or support struts. This may maximize the space and legroom under the table top and / or benches. It will be appreciated, however, that the frame may contact the ground in any number of desired locations. It will also be appreciated that one or more braces, brackets, support struts and the like may also be used to connect the frame to the center table portion and / or benches.

[0013] Another aspect is a picnic table that may include a frame that is relatively sturdy and strong. For example, the frame may be sized and configured to allow the picnic table to support two, four, six, eight or even more persons. The frame is preferably constructed from thin-walled metal tubing. The thin-walled metal tubing may allow a strong and lightweight picnic table to be constructed. In addition, the thin-walled metal tubing desirably has a relatively small diameter which may, for example, reduce the weight of the picnic table. Significantly, the relatively small diameter, thin-walled metal tubing may occupy a very small amount of space under the table top and / or benches, which may maximize the legroom under the table top and / or benches. It will be appreciated that the frame could be constructed from other materials with suitable shapes, sizes and characteristics. It will also be appreciated that the frame could have other appropriate sizes and configurations depending, for example, upon the size and intended use of the picnic table.

[0014] A further aspect is a picnic table that may include a table top and / or benches that are constructed from plastic. In particular, the table top and benches are preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic. Advantageously, the blow-molded plastic table top and benches, along with a frame constructed from relatively small diameter, thin-walled metal tubing, may allow a lightweight picnic table to be created. Significantly, the lightweight picnic table may reduce shipping costs. In particular, the lightweight picnic table may be shipped to a retailer or consumer at less cost than a conventional picnic table because of its lightweight. Additionally, the picnic table may be more easily assembled and disassembled because of the lightweight table top and / or benches. Further, the lightweight picnic table may be easier to transport and move because of its reduced weight, which may allow a consumer to easily move the picnic table from one location to another location.

[0015] In addition, if the table top and benches are constructed from blow-molded plastic, then the table top and benches may be strong, sturdy and high-strength. The blow-molded plastic table top and benches may also be weather resistant, generally temperature insensitive and quickly formed in the desired shape and configuration. Desirably, the blow-molded plastic table top and benches include two opposing surfaces that are separated by a generally constant distance. The upper surfaces may be generally planar and the lower surfaces may include a plurality of depressions that are sized and configured to increase the strength of the table top and seat. The table top and / or benches may also include other features, which may be integrally formed in the table top and / or benches as part of a unitary structure, that facilitate attachment of the table top and / or benches to the frame.

[0016] A further aspect is a picnic table that may include one or more benches or seats. Advantageously, the benches or seats may include a seat back or backrest. Thus, the seats may have a bottom portion and a backrest, and the backrest is preferably pivotally connected to the bottom portion of the seat. Desirably, the backrest is movable between a seating position in which the backrest has a generally upright configuration and a folded position in which the backrest is positioned generally parallel to the bottom portion. Significantly, the foldable backrest may allow the picnic table to be more easily stored, transported and / or shipped. The foldable backrest may also be used to create a booster seat for a child. This may significantly increase the number of uses of the picnic table because both adults and children may be able to use the picnic table. In addition, the backrests may be independently connected to the benches or seats so that adults and children may simultaneously use the picnic table. Of course, two or more backrests may be interconnected to allow multiple backrests to be moved between the seating position and the folded position.

[0017] Still another aspect is a picnic table that may include a relatively straightforward design, which may allow the picnic table to be quickly and easily assembled by the manufacturer and / or the consumer. Desirably, the picnic table can be assembled and disassembled using commonly available tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches, which may allow the manufacturer and / or consumer to easily assemble the picnic table. In addition, the picnic table may be quickly and easily disassembly, which may allow the picnic table to be more easily shipped, stored or transported.

Problems solved by technology

Wooden picnic tables, however, often quickly deteriorate because picnic tables are often exposed to elements such as sun, rain and snow.

In particular, the wooden legs may begin to rot over a relatively small period of time because the legs are frequently in contact with the ground.

In addition, the metal legs typically require large screws and / or bolts to attach the legs to the wooden table top and wooden bench tops.

Because these screws and / or bolts usually extend completely through the wooden table top and bench tops, the screws and / or bolts may form stress concentrations or other weaknesses that may allow a portion of the table top and / or bench tops to crack, split or fail.

Disadvantageously, conventional picnic tables constructed from wood are often very heavy and require a large, bulky, heavy-duty frame to support the table top and benches.

These heavy, wooden picnic tables are often very difficult to transport and move.

In addition, known picnic tables with metal legs often require a large and complex frame to support the table top and benches.

Legs constructed from large diameter tubing and / or large wall thickness tubing, however, may undesirably increase the weight of the picnic table.

These brackets and support struts are often placed underneath the table top, which may decrease the amount of space and legroom under the table top.

Additionally, the brackets and support struts may undesirably increase the weight and complexity of the picnic table.

Disadvantageously, the collapsible frame may increase the weight and complexity of the picnic table.

In addition, the frame of many collapsible picnic tables may require additional time to manufacture and assemble because of the numerous parts that have to be interconnected, and the complex frame may prevent or discourage consumers from assembling the picnic table.

Thus, these types of picnic tables are generally shipped in an assembled configuration and that may undesirably increase shipping and transportation costs.

These support struts and braces, however, often interfere with a desired sitting position for an individual seated at the picnic table, and the struts and braces may decrease the leg room under the table.

Additionally, the supports and braces may contact an individual's knees or legs, and that decreases the comfort and usefulness of the picnic table.

The struts and braces may also limit the number of people that can sit at the picnic table.

The struts and braces may also prevent some people from sitting at the picnic table or limit the positions in which people can sit at the table.

Disadvantageously, this may prevent some people from using the picnic table.

For example, because the benches are typically positioned to accommodate adults, the benches may be positioned too far away from the center table section to allow children to sit at the picnic table.

In addition, the benches may be too low for children to see and / or reach items on the table.

While it is known to create picnic tables that are sized and configured for children, these picnic tables are then unable to be used by most adults.

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