Picnic Table Assembly

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/560,372 filed on Mar. 1, 2024.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a picnic table and, more particularly, to an improved folding picnic table.

BACKGROUND

Presently, designs for folding picnic tables are in the public space, however, the existing units provide a common nuisance. Specifically, the current designs of the folding picnic table make the unit nearly impossible to transport with one person without causing undue stress and strain. Therefore, there is a need for a folding picnic table that allows a single person to easily transport the picnic table without additional assistant.

SUMMARY

A table includes a top portion. The table further includes a frame positioned under the top portion. The table further includes a stabilizing structure coupled to the frame and having a pair of legs, each leg having a joint. The table further includes a pair of planks, each plank coupled to a leg of the pair of legs. The joint transitions each of the planks to rotate inwards towards a central inner surface of the top portion. An inner surface of the plank and the inner surface of the top portion become adjacent permitting the table to be in a closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following, the present invention is described in more detail with references to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of the picnic table assembly unfolded;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the picnic table assembly unfolded;

FIG. 3 illustrates another top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates another bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates another top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates another bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top, front, right side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged perspective view;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top perspective view of the picnic table assembly in a first folded position; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the picnic table assembly in a second folded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

With reference to the Figures, a picnic table assembly 1 according to the invention is shown.

In an exemplary embodiment shown, a picnic table assembly 1 according to the invention generally includes a structure. The structure generally includes a top portion 2, a frame 4, a stabilizing structure 6, a pair of planks 8 and a side frame 10.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 1, the top portion 2 is a rectangular planar member. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The top portion 2 further includes an outer surface 20 and an inner surface 22. The top portion 2 further includes a passageway 24 extending through the top portion 2, specifically, through a central area of both the outer surface 20 and the inner surface 22. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the top portion 2 further includes an edging 26. The edging 26 is an elongated member extending downwards from a perimeter of the top portion 2. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The edging 26 includes a thickness, the same thickness as a thickness of the top portion 2.

In the exemplary embodiment, the top portion 2 and the edging 26 form a cradle 28. The cradle 28 is formulated on the inner surface 22 of the top portion 2. The cradle 28 permits the frame 4 to rest and abut against the top portion 2 and the edging 26. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 2, the frame 4 is octagon shaped. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The frame 4 is positioned within the cradle 28.

The frame 4 further includes a plurality of braces 30. The at least four braces 30 extend across a width side of the frame 4. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. Each brace 30 is a cylindrical member with a partial curvature at each end of the brace 30.

In the exemplary embodiment, the stabilizing structure 6 includes a pair of legs 40. The at least two pairs of legs 40 each extend from at least one brace 30. Each pair of legs 40 include a plurality of horizontal members and vertical members. The stabilizing structure 6 further includes a joint bracket 42. The joint bracket 42 permits locking and unlocking of each leg 40 and providing each leg 40 with rotational movement. The at least four joint brackets 42 are positioned on each horizontal member of the leg 40. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 1-4, each plank 8 is an elongated planar member. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. Each plank 8 further includes an outer surface 50 and an inner surface 52.

In the exemplary embodiment, each plank 8 further includes a plank edging 54. The plank edging 54 is an elongated member extending downwards from a perimeter of each of the planks 8. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The plank edging 54 includes a thickness, the same thickness as a thickness of the plank 8.

In the exemplary embodiment, each plank 8 and the plank edging 54 form a side cradle 56. The side cradle 56 is formulated on the inner surface 52 of each of the planks 8. The side cradle 56 permits the side frame 10 to rest and abut against the plank 8 and the plank edging 54. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the side frame 10 is rectangular shaped and positioned within the side cradle 56. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In another exemplary embodiment, with reference to the FIGS. 5-6, a picnic table assembly 1′ according to the invention is shown.

In an exemplary embodiment shown, a picnic table assembly 1′ according to the invention generally includes a structure. The structure generally includes a top portion 2′, a frame 4′, a stabilizing structure 6′, a pair of planks 8′ and a side frame 10′.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 5, the top portion 2′ is a rectangular planar member. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The top portion 2′ further includes an outer surface 20′ and an inner surface 22′. The top portion 2′ further includes a passageway 24′ extending through the top portion 2′, specifically, through a central area of both the outer surface 20′ and the inner surface 22′. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the top portion 2′ further includes an edging 26′. The edging 26′ is an elongated member extending downwards from a perimeter of the top portion 2′. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The edging 26′ includes a thickness, the same thickness as a thickness of the top portion 2′.

In the exemplary embodiment, the top portion 2′ and the edging 26′ form a cradle 28′. The cradle 28′ is formulated on the inner surface 22′ of the top portion 2′. The cradle 28′ permits the frame 4′ to rest and abut against the top portion 2′ and the edging 26′. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 6, the frame 4′ is a plurality of horizontal and vertical members. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The frame 4′ is positioned within the cradle 28′.

The frame 4′ further includes a plurality of braces 30′. The at least four braces 30′ extend across a width side of the frame 4′. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. A pair of braces 32′ include a curvature extending away from the top portion 2′. A second pair of braces 34′ includes an additional member extending towards the edging 26′ and away from the passageway 24′.

In the exemplary embodiment, the stabilizing structure 6′ includes a pair of legs 40′. The at least two pairs of legs 40′ each extend from at least one brace 30′. Each pair of legs 40′ include a plurality of horizontal members and vertical members with a slight curvature. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the stabilizing structure 6′ further includes a joint bracket 42′. The joint bracket 42′ permits locking and unlocking of each leg 40′ and providing each leg 40′ with rotational movement. The at least four joint brackets 42′ are positioned on each horizontal member of the leg 40′. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 5-6, each plank 8′ is an elongated planar member. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. Each plank 8′ further includes an outer surface 50′ and an inner surface 52′.

In the exemplary embodiment, each plank 8′ further includes a plank edging 54′. The plank edging 54′ is an elongated member extending downwards from a perimeter of each of the planks 8′. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment. The plank edging 54′ includes a thickness, the same thickness as a thickness of the plank 8′.

In the exemplary embodiment, each plank 8′ and the plank edging 54′ permits the side frame 10′ to rest and abut against the plank 8′ and the plank edging 54′. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the side frame 10′ is curvature shaped and positioned against each plank 8′. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the picnic table assembly 1′ further includes a plurality a handles 60′. The at least four handles each include a strap 62′ and a grip 64′. The strap 62′ couples to each end of the grip 64′. The strap 62′ is further fixed to the edging 26′. One skilled in the art would understand the applicant's design is not the exclusive embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 1-10, a user utilizing the picnic table assembly 1, 1′ is shown in an open position. Each pair of legs 40, 40′ is rotated along the brace 30, 30′ where a portion of the leg 40, 40′ is positioned within the side cradle 56 of the inner surface 52 of the plank 8 or abutting against the inner surface 52′ of the plank 8′. As shown in FIG. 9, each plank 8, 8′ is positioned parallel to the edging 26, 26′ of the top portion 2, 2′. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the joint brackets 42, 42′ are switched from a locked state to an unlocked state to permit each of the planks 8, 8′ to rotate inwards towards a central inner surface 22, 22′ of the top portion 2, 2′. The inner surface 52, 52′ of the plank 8, 8′ and the inner surface 22, 22′ of the top portion 2, 2′ become adjacently positioned providing the picnic table assembly 1, 1′ in a closed position.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. For example, various embodiments of the systems and methods may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.