WO1993014674A1

WO1993014674A1 - Structurally independent self-supporting table and bench seat

Info

Publication number: WO1993014674A1
Application number: PCT/CA1992/000055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pete James Kondoff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-02-04
Filing date: 1992-02-04
Publication date: 1993-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 1994-08-04
Also published as: AU1237292A; CA2117366C; CA2117366A1

Abstract

A patio or outdoor type table and bench unit comprising of a single table top, several vertical support leg members, nestable in an interlocking relationship with the table top, and an equal number of bench type seats which orbit the table top. The bench type seats also nest within the support leg members. When locked into place, the table and bench seat assembly becomes a single, independent, structurally strong unit. A hole in the centre of the table top may also be incorporated for reception of an umbrella or the like. The uniqueness of this instant invention is that the various components, when assembled, approach the shape of a hemisphere, with each member becoming both functional as well as structural, adding to the strength, dimensional stability, and structural integrity of the entire unit.

Description

Structurally Independent Self-Supporting Table and Benchseat

DESCRIPΗON:

The table top is a disk, similar to a Parallel of Latitude bisecting the upper part of an imaginary hemisphere. The support legs are equally spaced vertical supports, similar to the Meridians of Longitude which radiate around the earth's pole, and on which the table top and seats are assembled. The seat construction consists of two alternately segmented equally spaced annular rings which are horizontal and parallel with the table top. One ring, the seat proper, bisects the imaginary hemisphere at a level somewhere between the table top and bottom. The bottom ring is connected to the upper ring by a vertical section, forming a stepped shape similar to a square wave form when viewed from either the front or the side. The table top is joined to the support legs, which in turn are joined to the bench seats; locking the entire assembly into a single unit.

The table top has at its centre a pipe shaped construction flush with the top of the table molded to reinforcing ribs which are radially positioned on the underside, and used for the engagement of the support legs, which lock into place when assembled.

There is a plurality of support legs, each having a vertical upper section which is nested and assembled to the underside of the table top, and a lower vertical section which is assembled to the bench seats and which are equal in number to the support legs.

The bench seats consist of a horizontal section (forming part of the seating portion which also nests in the support leg), a vertical support, and a lower horizontal section. This shape is continued but opposite as it is rotated about the centre of the table, over to the adjacent support leg, (where it is also nested in the adjacent leg support).

The seats, in their entirety, form a symmetrically shaped stepped annular ring which orbits the table top, locking the final assembly into a uniquely strong and dimensionally stable structured unit.

Reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein the same item numbers refer to like parts throughout, and lettered views refer to the broken-out pictorial section views shown in FIG.3, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the table and bench assembly comprising the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing through line X-X of FIG. 1.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET FIG. 3 is an exploded pictorial view of the components illustrating the sectional nature of the construction.

Note: Final assembly of the components may be by chemical or mechanical means such as; a/ chemical or mechanical adhesive or cohesive bonding, b/ mechanical fasteners such as nuts, bolts, etc. c/ nest and lock in place, d/ any combination of the above.

The components are identified as;

Item 'T" - TABLE TOP- One required.

Item "2" - SUPPORT LEG - Three or more required. Item "3" - BENCH SEAT - The number required must always be equal to the number required in Item "B"

ITEM "1" - TABLE TOP - Moulded of an appropriate metal, plastic, or thermo plastic material, consisting of a circular disk with a moulded pipe stem in the centre and on the underside (see FIG. 3 View "A"). Reinforcing ribs equal in angular spacing, radiate from the pipe stem (see FIG. 3 View "B") and matching in numbers required of Item s "2" or "3".

ITEM "2" - SUPPORT LEG - Moulded of an appropriate metal, plastic, or thermo plastic material, consisting of a channel construction where the inside measurement between the legs of the channel is slightly greater than the width of the reinforcing ribs on Item "1" ( see FIG. 3 View "C") to permit nesting of the legs of the channel onto the reinforcing rib on the underside of Item "1" - Table Top. The lower portion of the Support Leg is a continuation of the channel construction with the addition of an opening for the location and insertion of flanges on Item "3" - Bench Seat ( see FIG. 3 View "G"), which when assembled are radially located on both sides of the Support Leg. The inside measurement of the channel at this point is slightly greater than the accumulated thickness of the flanges on Item"3" which are inserted.

ITEM "3" - BENCH SEAT - Moulded of an appropriate metal, plastic, or thermo plastic material, consisting of a channel construction ( see FIG. 3 View "H" & "D"), where the upper part of the channel the seat proper with a downward facing flange which nests into Item "2" - Support Leg. The upper horizontal portion is moulded to a vertical member, with the legs of this channel construction facing inward ( see FIG. 3 View 'Η") toward Item

SUBSTITUTE SHEET "2" - Support Leg. The vertical member is also moulded to a horizontal lower channel member, which faces downward ( see FIG. 3 View "D"). The other half of Item "3" is radially opposite, about a centreline which radiates out from the centre of the Table Top.

The instant invention consists of symmetrical components made from only three different moulds, and can be made for three or more seats, is not labour intensive to manufacture, and subject only to manufacturing moulding capacity and strength of materials limitations.

The instant invention is generally concerned with a table top, support legs, and bench seats, and more particularly relates to precast sectional elements which incorporate nesting structural members for the support and stability of the final assembly.

One of the primary objects of the instant invention resides in the provision of the unique hemispherical structural design and construction which is particularly adapted to have the components thereof precast, normally in a plastic or a reinforced thermoplastic or equivalent material, so as to enable a selective assembly of the components into a highly stable, attractive, strong and functionally desirable unit.

Another significant object of the instant invention resides in the provision of a construction which enables the simplified formation of a table and bench combination of substantial stability, such being particularly desirable in private, business, public, picnic areas, and the like. This construction, being effected through the utilization of sectional components, can be easily produced and assembled.

Likewise, the unique sectional construction contemplated in the instant invention is also of significance in providing a table that can be easily disassembled, and stored in a compact condition.

Other objects of the instant invention reside in the provision of a durable unit having the support leg unit, which is common to both the table top and the bench, so configured as to provide substantially little interference to the access and use of the device. The completed unit incorporates, as an additional feature, an umbrella support utilized to directly engage the umbrella shaft with the table, thus providing a highly stable support for the umbrella itself.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims

CLAIMS:

This instant invention relates to a table top which is supported by a plurality of radial equally spaced support legs, which are locked in place by an equal number of bench seats. When assembled, the elements of this unit approach the shape of a hemispherical shell with its top removed and replaced by a disk. Each item on this instant invention simulates either the geographic meridians of longitude or the parallels of latitude on the earth's surface.

Historically table and bench units of this type have found it necessary to add members to their assembly to improve the structural integrity. These added members not only increase the cost of manufacture and construction but often add to the discomfort of the users through unnecessary seat and leg interference.

This instant invention eliminates the need for additional structural elements while improving the comfort, accessibility, and leg room of the users.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET